Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 March 2001 — Page 2

PAGE A2

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, MARCH 9,2001“

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Indianapolis, IN:*600E€ast38th St. PH: 547-9601 • 5110 Pike Plaza Rd. PH: 297-8808 • 1218 US Route 31 PH: 882-7452

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FEE Continued from A1 H.B. 1574 authorizes public safety user fees on property owners for police and fire pensions in Indianapolis and other municipalities. Unlike the property tax, municipalities could extend this fee to tax-exempt property owners like churches, schools, and government entities. Indianapolis estimates homeowners pay about $7.50 a month in taxes for police and fire pensions. Under 1574, their tax bills would be reduced by that amount to offset the new user fee, according to a published report. The bill says user fees, but the ministers say it is still a tax. Rev. Clay said the bill not only threatens the survival of some nonprofits across Indianapolis, but is also a "blatant act of betrayal of the very institution that birthed” many of the political careers of the bill’s supporters. "We have all in one way or another opened our doors 1 to these politicians, both Black and white, to parade into our churches to make special notes and appeals to our congregation,” he said. Sponsored by Rep. Bill Crawford, the bill passed the House 55-41. Many of the Black Democrats voted for the bill. Rep. Crawford said, "House Bill 1574 permits local elected officials to reach a local determination, consistent with the principle of Home Ru le, as to whether or not they choose to expand the base of support for police / fire pensions by removing the total obligation from property taxpayers exclusively and spreading the cost to non-taxpayer entities. “(The bill) contains no mandates requiring local government to do this. It simply allows the authority to act after local public hearings if they chose to,” he added. Mayor Peterson could not be reached for comments by The Recorder at press time. Rev. .Clay said, "Because we have a, heart for community we allow (politicians) to share their platform with our congregation. In appreciation for the many years that we have done this — we get

taxed. “It’s totally unacceptable,” he said. While disseminating information about the bill to those in attendance, Rev. Clay asserted that it was time for those affected by the so-called user fee to unite and take actions to make sure it doesn' t pass. The bill is now pending in the Senate. He encouraged community leaders: • To saturate their communities with information regarding the bill. • Protest the bill through phone calls and letters to representatives. • Attend an upcoming meeting in which 30 state legislators will be in attendance. “We say emphatically and unanimously that churches and notfor profit organizations are not the supplement to the city’s pension shortfalls,” said Rev. Clay. "Where is the government money that was already allotted for this purpose? Where are the forecasters that should have told (government) that trouble was coming?” he asked. Rev. Clay said, “It predates Bart Peterson’s administration. He’s inherited the problem, but he isn’t making it any better with this solution.” While Peterson calls the bill “creative and sensible,” opponents say the same creativity that was used to fund a $200,000 plan to form a special task force to stop aggressive driving, should be used to find a way to profit without punishing churches and other nonprofits. “Churches are in session everyday,” said Rev. Clay. “We’re feeding people everyday. We’re helping those who are struggling with their bills everyday. But it’s like politicians don’t know that. “The church is the greatest thing we have going, and it’s the only thing the Lord is coming back to get,” he added. If the bill is passed, the church will be one of many stops for tax collectors. Government buildings such as the City-County Building and the Statehouse will also be hit. Charles Guynn, president and CEO of Indiana Black Expo Development Corp., is especially concerned about the bill’s potential. “The state depends on non-prof-its to better communities and organizations work extremely hard to be classified as a 501-C3,” said Guynn. ‘Tohave local government come and say that we are now going to be taxed would be devastating. It would just paralyze (nonprofits). According to Guynn, non-prof-its only deal with expenses and

projects. To put another expenses on organizations with tight bueTt

gets just won’t add up.

“The amount of the tax is conf j sistent with the size of the corpora'- •*' tion,” he said. “A $500 tax may n,c«» be a big hit for a large corporation' * but it could easily destroy a sma^J j

one.”

Dr. Angelique Walker-Smitlf*

said the tax could be detrimental to • the entire city of Indianapolis, - £> f

“If churches are taxed, they will

have to cut back,” she said. “It’s troublesome to think what this city- ' would be like without the gre^t contributions of the church coni- ^ munity.” '

Attorney Eric Miller agrees. :V “Instead of trying to impose a ''

tax, government should be asking '' (churches and non-profits) what they can do to help,” he said. They’ • ’ are the front line and making a -

difference in communities. "The power of tax is the power i,

to destroy,” added Miller. iL

Still, local ministers said with- .

God on their side they are prepared,; i - to go up against governmental,,

policy. .

“Lord knows we haven’t wotr I( - one in a long time,” said Rev. Clay. ^

“but we can win this one.”

The ministers will meet again 1Tuesday, March 13, at Messiah church. Call 317 925-7435 for more’' ’

information.

Mounting forces The following churches and or.,;> ganizations have united againsf . ’ House Bill 1574: , Vv Interdenominational Ministers AU

liance

Baptist Ministers Alliance and Vi- /

cinity

Indiana Catholic Conference

Advance America Christ Missionary Baptist ChureK ' Eastside Baptist Church Family Federation for World Peace 1 ' Unification 11 |J First Christian Missionary BaptisL'' Church Freedom Temple COGIC : l 1 " 1 Greater Galilee Baptist Church ;'-<* Holy Angles Church Indiana Black Expo Development.. Corp. • Love All People Ministries Jd Loving Baptist Church > p, Messiah Missionary Baptist-,. Church V1 . Metropolitan Missionary Baptis,t , Church r ; „ Open Door Church Rock of Faith Baptist Church Pleasant Union Baptist Church

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Unity Christian

University United Methodist"

Church

Solid Word Bible Church St. Paul A.M.E. Church

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Glinda Bridgforth Grace Cornish

Sister Souljah

WOMEN

Continued from A1

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scheduled to appear during the course of the weekend event that concludes on March 18 with a Gospel Showcase featuring Rodney Bryant and CCMC.

Call 955-9852for more information on Women’s Expo 2001: Generations of Health, Self, and Wealth.

Tips for starting a business

A* .

Dr. E Faye Williams is president ahd CEO of Natural Health Options — a natural health products company that has the exclusive marketing and distribution rights to products created by Dr. George Washington Carver. NHO’s flagship product is a rubbing oil that was created by Dr. Carver more than 70 years ago for arthritis, gout, diabetic neuropathy, and various other sources of pain. Williams is the only AfricanAmerican woman to head a major multi-level marketing company, providing economic empowerment opportunities for small business owners. Williams said she got the idea to start her own company from her involvement with the Million Man March. “It became clear to me that when we as Black people receive our high-powered degrees we have an obligation to try to do more than just collect a pay check,” said Wil-

liams. “Through owning our owjjj businesses we can create more op£ portunities for our people, and I! wanted to do just that.” Williams! offers the following tips to thosi who want to start their own bus»S{ ness: ! • Work with a professional itf the field you wish to do busi ness -3 gain your experience and become; knowledgeable about your indufe} tr y- j • Learn to ask for help — yoij can’t do it all yourself. • Develop a financial plan th will allow you to pay your bills for) 4 to 5 years. • Set aside time for yourself a business can consume all of your) personal time and treasure and be in business for the long haul yo have to take out time for yourself. You may not be able to take long vacations, but a long walk, shopping, or participating in a hobby are things that can help reduce your stress level.