Freeing Those in Need

The CARE Act, which is the legislative version of the President's Faith-Based Initiative, is indeed being held hostage by senators with partisan gripes ("Holding the wrong hostage," Op-Ed, Thursday).

However, the situation is even worse than that. The House version of the CARE Act (Charity Aid, Recovery and Empowerment Act of 2003) sticks to helping faith-based entities promote social service programs. The Senate version, in contrast, is catering to environmental groups, some of which have become giant corporations by feeding on the taxpayer, by including a controversial tax provision for them that will cost taxpayers nearly $500 million.

Here it is: The Senate CARE Act proposes that sellers of property will receive a capital-gains tax cut of 25 percent - only if they sell their property to a land trust. This means that giant multinational land trusts such as the Nature Conservancy Inc. (assets: $3.2 billion, annual budget: $740 million) will be able to underbid all other potential buyers of property because the seller will receive a substantial tax break only if he sells to a land trust.

Incredibly, this places churches, private schools, orphanages and faith-affiliated social service agencies at a comparative disadvantage compared to selected environmental groups - in legislation designed to help faith-based organizations. Private-sector buyers also are put at the back of the line when competing with these land-gobbling giants, which claim to protect the environment but frequently resell property to government agencies, or even for development at a substantial profit.

A broad coalition of organizations, including the American Land Rights Association, the Association of Christian Schools International, the American Conservative Union and conservative leaders including Paul Weyrich and Grover Norquist, supports the House bill and opposes Senate-sponsored tax favoritism for selected environmental groups. More than 20 House members have signed a letter to this effect also.

Hopefully the Senate will listen and release the hostage.

MICHAEL HARDIMAN

Washington