The Missouri House has passed legislation that would revive three benevolent tax credit programs that expired last year, but there were a couple of dissenters who had a problem with incentives going to crisis pregnancy centers.
Democrats Judy Morgan of Kansas City and Stacey Newman of St. Louis County cast the only “no” votes. Newman said the pregnancy centers in question are operated by anti-abortion groups that are spreading false information about the issue.
“I’m not opposed to their providing women with alternatives…at the same time, if women are obtaining ultrasounds or any other medical information, it needs to be factual and we’re not convinced that they are,” said Newman.
The bill would restore incentives for food pantries, crisis pregnancy centers and the Children in Crisis program. The sponsor, Republican Eric Burlison of Springfield, said aiding these charities through tax credits also encourages personal involvement.
“You’re engaging citizens in the community who get involved and really care about these issues. I think the flawed way of handling those needs is to have taxes funneled through and politicians fight over them, and then hope that bureaucrats handle the needs in a good way,” said Burlison
The bill would also renew tax breaks for food pantries and the Children in Crisis program, and extend existing incentives for widowed spouses of law enforcement officers. It now goes to the Missouri Senate.