This post originally appeared at https://reforminggovernment.org/court-watch-wisconsin-supreme-court-can-protect-or-damage-family-values-and-freedom-for-people-of-faith/
Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released another “Court Watch” primer on Tuesday, detailing recent decisions from the Wisconsin Supreme Court pertaining to religion. The primer outlines how the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decisions can protect or damage religious liberty in Wisconsin.
WHY IT MATTERS: Right now, the United States Supreme Court is considering whether to reverse a 4-3 decision by the liberal majority on the WIsconsin Supreme Court to permit a state agency to tax church-affiliated charitable ministries because they aren’t “churchy” enough. The liberal majority found that Catholic Charities had to pay taxes even though it is an integrated ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Superior. If the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision stands, ministries that serve individuals with physical and developmental disabilities will have to start paying taxes to the state Department of Workforce Development.
THE QUOTE:
“The Left is on a relentless campaign to transform American culture in ways that would wipe out religious liberty and parents rights for millions of Wisconsinites,” said Jake Curtis, General Counsel and Director of IRG’s CIO. “People of faith in Wisconsin can’t overlook recent decisions from the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the effect they will have on religious liberty. The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s liberal majority’s failure to understand how charitable acts are part of one’s religion may just be the beginning.”
WHAT’S NEXT: State courts impact everyday Wisconsinites’ lives and IRG’s new Court Watch initiative will lead in educating on the importance of the judicial branch.