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Mo. House Passes Benevolent Tax Credit Bill

Legislation that would revive three benevolent tax credits that died last year has been passed by the Missouri House.

UPI/Bill Greenblatt /

House Bill 87 would restore incentives for food pantries, crisis pregnancy centers and the Children in Crisis program.  They expired last year when House and Senate leaders failed to agree on any incentives bill, due to a long-running conflict between the two chambers over tax credit reform.  The sponsor,State Representative Eric Burlison(R, Springfield), says 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,"Burlisontold reporters after the vote.  "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.”

The measure passed with strong bipartisan support.  However, two House Democrats voted “no:”  Judy Morganof Kansas City andStacey Newmanof Richmond Heights.  Newman says 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," Newman said.  "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.”

The bill would also extend existing incentives for widowed spouses of law enforcement officers and for home renovations for the disabled.  It now goes to theMissouri Senate.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter: @MarshallGReport

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Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.
Marshall Griffin
St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.