ABC: Texas Town Has Too Many Churches

The October 1 edition of ABC’s “World News Sunday” preached that the 51 houses of worship in Stafford, Texas are a holy terror to the city’s finances, citing the mayor’s complaints about lack of tax revenue. But reporter Geoff Morrell left out that the city has already enacted more regulation to discourage churches and that at that beginning of the year, the mayor gave a very positive assessment of the city’s finances.

For a more in-depth read, check out my piece at BusinessandMedia.org.

But here's a taste:

Far from the negative tone Scarcella took in his appearance in Morrell’s story, neither the mayor’s 2006 State of the City Address nor his Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Budget Message warned of dangers to city revenue from too many houses of worship.

In fact, Scarcella defended and praised the city’s 1995 elimination of property taxes a key to the city’s economic success.

"Fund balances have increased in multiples, assets have grown substantially, debt has been dramatically reduced, services have been significantly expanded and residents and companies have been enticed to enjoy the benefits and opportunities,” wrote Scarcella in his January 25 agenda-setting address to the city council.