Civil rights leader, Rev. Jesse Jackson joined Milwaukee faith leaders in demanding immediate changes Tuesday after several churches over the past year received tax bills from the city of Milwaukee. “This is a Milwaukee tax, it’s time for a change,” Jackson said at a press conference at City Hall. “We’ll be participating in nationwide protests. All roads lead to Milwaukee.” Some churches are asking for help. The obvious issue, which Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said has been highlighted during the pandemic, is that state law requires churches to return forms with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue every two years to maintain tax-exempt status. Jackson and Barrett spoke by phone the Monday night before the event. Jackson then waited in Barrett’s office on Tuesday for him to return from a separate event to meet in person. The two emerged together a short time later. “The issue here is what happens when that form is not filed,” Barrett said. The mayor pledged to investigate whether, by executive order, he could stop churches from receiving their tax-exempt status, even if proper paperwork is not filed with the state. “If we have churches, especially during a pandemic that don’t file the proper paperwork, I don’t want them to be penalized,” Barrett said, keeping the city up to state law. “The question is whether the appraiser has the power to be more assertive.” Jackson, who appeared pleased with the mayor’s actions, said he would still demand refunds from the churches that paid, a reason he is willing to take to court. “I’m pleased Mayor Barrett will do what he says he will,” Jackson said. “I have a lot of respect for him.” At a private event, Jackson appeared with members of Jacob Blake’s family at a church in Kenosha to call for racial justice and equality.
Civil rights leader, Rev. Jesse Jackson joined Milwaukee faith leaders in demanding immediate changes Tuesday after several churches over the past year received tax bills from the city of Milwaukee.
“This is a Milwaukee tax, it’s time for a change,” Jackson said at a press conference at City Hall. “We’ll be participating in nationwide protests. All roads lead to Milwaukee.”
Some churches are asking for help.
The obvious issue, which Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said has been highlighted during the pandemic, is that state law requires churches to return forms with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue every two years to maintain tax-exempt status.
Jackson and Barrett spoke by phone the Monday night before the event.
Jackson then waited in Barrett’s office on Tuesday for him to return from a separate event to meet in person.
The two emerged together a short time later.
“The issue here is what happens when that form is not filed,” Barrett said.
The mayor pledged to investigate whether, by executive order, he could stop churches from receiving their tax-exempt status, even if proper paperwork is not filed with the state.
“If we have churches, especially during a pandemic that don’t file the proper paperwork, I don’t want them to be penalized,” Barrett said, keeping the city up to state law. “The question is whether assessors have more decision-making power.”
Jackson, who appeared pleased with the mayor’s actions, said he would still demand refunds from the churches that paid, a reason he said he was willing to take to court.
“I’m pleased Mayor Barrett will do what he says he will,” Jackson said. “I have a lot of respect for him.”
At a private event, Jackson appeared with members of Jacob Blake’s family at a church in Kenosha to call for racial justice and equality.
