Written by Don Byrd
The State of Utah is asking a federal judge to throw out a complaint by the Utah Hospitality Association that the Church of Latter-Day States improperly influenced recently enacted state liquor laws.
State attorneys said the LDS Church’s “practice of offering its view to legislators on liquor laws” does not violate the Utah and federal constitutions. In addition, both state and federal courts “have made it plain that religious leaders and organizations have a First Amendment right to comment upon proposed legislation.”
Advocating on an issue is not the same as engaging in electoral politics on behalf of a candidate, which would jeopardize tax-exempt status. Tax-exempt institutions including churches have the right to engage in a certain amount of issue advocacy. On what ground would the church’s advocacy here be challenged?
