Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Law to Help Support Life; Benefit Children Facing Crisis
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today signed legislation creating tax credit programs to benefit pregnancy resource centers and for children in crisis.
“Our children are our future. I am pleased to sign this bill to offer them a chance at life and hope in their time of crisis,” Blunt said. “This bill helps reinforce the valuable pro-life legislation passed last year and ensures families in crisis have access to available resources.”
House Bill 1485, sponsored by Rep. Allen Icet, authorizes an income tax credit for 50 percent of contributions to qualified pregnancy resource centers. Pregnancy resource centers provide assistance, support, and an opportunity to choose life for women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. Taxpayers can claim up to $50,000 per year, with a $2 million statewide cap per year. The tax credit program, highlighting the many merits of pregnancy resource centers, was among Blunt’s priorities this session.
The bill also makes unused adoption tax credits available to entities that work directly with Missouri children in crisis. Child Advocacy Centers, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and Crisis Care Centers will now have access to credits that would otherwise go unused. Last year this would have totaled $1.4 million in tax credits.
Last year, Blunt worked with members of the General Assembly to reverse the pro-abortion policies of the past. He signed pro-life legislation that reflects the values of Missourians including language to strengthen Missouri’s parental consent law so that parents may be involved in and aware of their children’s decisions regarding abortion; enact important safety standards, requiring physicians who perform abortions to have hospital privileges within 30 miles of the clinic where they perform the procedure; and ensure “next friends”, those who have the authority to provide consent for abortions for minors, cannot be another minor or someone who would financially benefit from the abortion. Blunt is the first pro-life Missouri governor in years, and he will continue to fight for a culture that values human life.
The governor signed the bill at stops in Columbia, St. Louis, Lee’s Summit, Springfield and Joplin.
###