FFRF Requests California Members
posted Thursday, October 1, 2009
Dear FFRF member:
FFRF is preparing to file a new lawsuit with national significance in the Eastern District of California in Sacramento. According to our atlas, you live in the Eastern District, which is why we are contacting you!
The lawsuit will challenge federal and state tax code provisions that exclude from taxable income the housing allowances provided to "ministers of the gospel." Because "ministers of the gospel" are given these preferential deductions, other taxpayers make up the difference and you pay more. This preferential tax treatment quite clearly violates the Establishment Clause so we will ask the Court to invalidate this government subsidy to religion.
This is an inquiry to find out whether you would like to be involved. Ideally, we are looking for California FFRF members in the Eastern District who pay taxes both to the State of California and federal income taxes who might be interested in being local plaintiffs, along with the Foundation. If you do not pay state taxes (senior citizens sometimes don't), but pay federal taxes and are interested in this litigation, we would still like to hear from you. There will be no cost to you.
If you are potentially interested, please reply with your full name(s), mailing address, best e-mail and best phone number(s) and time(s) to reach you.
We are excited about filing a challenge that is long overdue. with your help. and representing our California Foundation members. We would be pleased to answer any questions. We are interested in filing very soon.
Thank you!
Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker
Freedom From Religion Foundation
PO Box 750
Madison WI 53701
608/256-8900
le...@ffrf.org | 
