[NYTr] American Atheists claim victory in ending KY clergy tax exemption

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org     
For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President (908)
Dave Silverman, Communications Director (732) 648-9333
Edwin Kagin, National Legal Director (859) 384-7000

ATHEIST GROUP CLAIMS VICTORY AS KENTUCKY'S BOONE COUNTY 
VOTES TO END SPECIAL SALARY TAX EXEMPTION FOR MINISTERS

Members of the clergy will now be paying salary taxes just like
everyone following a vote last night by officials in  Boone County, KY.

Two years ago, attorney Edwin Kagin -- National Legal Director for 
American Atheists -- filed suit to challenge a local practice which 
exempted ministers, priests, rabbis, mullah's and other clerics from 
complying with state law, and being taxed the same 0.8 percent as 
everyone else who works for a living.  Kagin cited  the Kentucky State 
Constitution which forbids any direct or indirect public aid to 
religious sects, or the payment of salaries for the clergy.

"The tax exemption clearly favored religion over non-religion, and 
elevated members of the clergy to a special position where they didn't 
have to shoulder their fair share of the tax burden," said Kagin.
"This levels the playing field and complies with our both of our state
and federal constitutions."

One Boone County official court, Judge-executive Gary Moore, said he 
disagreed with the statute.

"I would not normally vote for this," Moore told the Kentucky Enquirer, 
"as much as I disagree with it."  But he said he would comply with the 
state law. Moore added that he told a delegation of ministers about the 
change, and that "They seem to understand it, not happy about it."

Mr. Kagin said that officials should have been abiding by the 
constitution two years ago, obviating any need for a lawsuit.   "This
is what American Atheists does, though, as a First Amendment watchdog 
group.  We find statutes like this being ignored in communities 
throughout the country.  Officials comply only when you threaten to
take them to court."

"We're pleased with the outcome, and that Boone County will be treating 
all citizens equally, and not waste taxpayer money defending an 
unconstitutional practice."

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights
for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and 
addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.

American Atheists, Inc.
P. O. Box 5733
Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733
Tel.: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402