"Holyland" theme park to be tax exempt. Brother Jeb to decide..

[splat@14]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/orl-holyland0506may05,0,7960064.story?coll=sfla-news-florida

TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Senate, by a 28-10 vote, approved and sent to the governor Thursday a bill that would exempt an Orlando religious theme park from property taxes.

If the measure becomes law, it should settle the dispute between The Holy Land Experience and Orange County Property Appraiser Bill Donegan, who says the park owes $1 million in taxes.


On Thursday, Gov. Jeb Bush said he hadn't decided yet whether he would sign it.

After the House passed the measure last week, Donegan sent a letter to senators laying out his argument.

"While I agree the Holy Land Experience has a religious theme, it is not a religious use -- it is a business," Donegan wrote. "This theme park has several large venues that may need city medical, fire or police emergency services. Those services have a cost attached to them that we all pay in property taxes.

More at Link...


Ripped off from:
http://www.derenegade.blogspot.com/

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[KyuzoGator]

1. I love their billboards on the Turnpike...

A Roman gladiator sneaking up behind a frightened little kid.

[dogday]

2. Holy load of crap Batman

if they are making a profit, they should pay tax... That simple

[dipsydoodle]

10. But not

if they're making prophets. :rofl:

[tsuki]

3. This is wrong, pure and simple. Maybe I can apply for my

business to be exempt from federal taxes. I'll call it the Holyland of Plumbing.

[rpannier]

7. That's a great idea.

Let's see...my brother is a networking guru. How about
Robert and God. The Heavenly Networking Co.

[tsuki]

14. I like. Maybe we need to fill out some 501-3Cs(is that the form?) nt

[splat@14]

9. I think you may be on to something here. Put a picture of Jesus in the

McDonalds playground and voila, the franchise is tax free! Shrewed, very shrewed...my compliments!
Splat

[misternormal]

4. I don't think any church, or anything that has a religious theme...

... should have tax exempt status... period.

Too many people hide behind the tax exempt banner...

I think that the tax exempt status should be taken from the churches, and given to those that are serving in the military...

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. Why, it's simple, just tell them they'll take 10% of their take and

just refer to it as a tithe. Florida can use it to feed and house their (more than fair share) of indigents and poor.

[rpannier]

6. Okay...

Then I'm going to start a theme park based on the worship of Hellenistic, Egyptian and Viking Deities. I'm going to demand tax exempt status. If they don't give it to me, I'm going to sue.

I'll call it, "Pagan Land"

[splat@14]

11. imagine.......the "Caligula Ride" The line would stretch for miles.

[peekaloo]

8. the last time people sought the advice of a snake in a garden

thangs got all fooked up.

[treestar]

12. Do the sellers of Bibles have to pay the usual taxes?

Just giving something a religious theme wouldn't make you tax exempt.

You have to qualify under the Internal Revenue Code, and that is very strict about being nonprofit.

[LiberalUprising]

13. The Internal Revenue Service considers the attraction exempt from federal