Anti-Abortion Centers Draw Renewed Look in Jeff City
Using your tax dollars to lie for Jesus, what could be better?
Millions of dollars in state funds and tax credits have been doled out in recent years to assist mostly faith-based nonprofits in their efforts to reduce the number of abortions performed in Missouri.
Critics complain, however, that much of the money ends up benefiting what are called pregnancy resource centers, which they contend often pose as medical clinics while providing inaccurate information designed to scare women away from having an abortion.
Now lawmakers are wrestling with the sensitive issue once again as Republicans push for legislation banning local governments from limiting a pregnancy resource center’s activities. Another bill would extend a tax credit for center donors. That tax credit is set to expire this year.
“We always want to be a society that strongly affirms life and the importance of life. Pregnancy resource centers across our state really do what is important to protect life,” said House Speaker Pro Tem Shane Schoeller, a Willard Republican who is sponsoring a bill extending the tax credit and has made it one of his biggest legislative priorities.