Faith-based tax reform rejected in Alabama

Christian Century, Oct 4, 2003

Despite an appeal to their religious sense of justice, Alabama voters overwhelmingly defeated a proposal that would have reduced taxes for the state's poorest residents and raised them on the wealthy. The $1.2 billion tax package touted by Republican Governor Bob Riley, a Southern Baptist, would have overhauled the state's tax system in an attempt to prevent massive cuts in funding for education and other state services, necessitated by a budget shortfall.

The state's legislature was forced into a special session on September 15 after the referendum eight days earlier attracted an unusually large turnout--with 68 percent voting against the plan and 32 percent supporting it. "I have beard what the people of Alabama have said," said Riley, adding that he understood the result to mean that voters want smaller government until it can prove it is a good steward of the people's money. Ironically, exit polls showed that the package had less support among those it would have helped than among wealthier Alabamians.

While many prominent Alabama clergy and Christian groups had supported the plan, some state and national Religious Right groups opposed it. Political analysts said the tax package failed because it was too complicated and too drastic.

Dan Ireland, executive director of a citizens action group and a former president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, had joined seven other ABSC past presidents in endorsing Riley's plan. Anticipating that the vote means legislators will turn to lotteries and gambling as a way to solve revenue problems, Ireland said he hopes legislators will remember that Alabama said no to the lottery in 1999.--ABP