Stephen Alexander

The move of a few years ago to remove tax exemption from Masonic lodges in New Hampshire has harmed many lodges and forced several to close their physical locations. Masonic lodges provide a net good to local communities by providing financial supports through scholarships and by providing centers of fellowship in those communities. But they do not collect a lot of revenue; and what revenue they do collect goes to their very small operations and to charitable purposes such as scholarships and support to charities such as the Shriners and Scottish Rite Hospitals that provide pediatric medical care at no charge for those who need it. Accordingly it makes sense to provide relief to Masonic lodges through legislation to enable them to operate their facilities without the burden of property tax. Such an exemption should be seen as a proper investment in the state's communities.