Tax Credit for Pregnancy Resource Centers
This week the Missouri House gave approval to HB 2252, which provides a continuation of the successful tax credit program for pregnancy resource centers in our state. As someone who is strongly pro-life, I believe we should have no abortions in our state. One way to reduce abortions is to help our pregnancy resource centers. These centers provide resources and education to women who are expectant mothers or recently had a baby and who have no other support network available. These women and their children deserve and need a helping hand. These resource centers provide advice on child-rearing, job training, maternity and baby clothes, and referrals for medical care, all at no cost.
HB 2252 reauthorizes this tax credit so Missourians can choose to support them when they file their income tax returns and that will go to support these centers. It is also important to note these centers are run by the private market, not the government. Part of being pro-life is supporting and protecting those who cannot protect themselves. Missouri's pregnancy resource centers are an excellent and cost effective way to do so.
Public Prayer Amendment
I was also supportive of an initial approval to HJR 62 this week. This proposed constitutional amendment guarantees a person's right to worship and pray on public property without the fear of intimidation. This is already allowed and protected in the US Constitution, but amazingly enough people are continually challenging this freedom in court. The purpose of this amendment is to make it perfectly clear that in Missouri we can freely pray in public without fear of legal repercussions.
The lack of education on this issue is especially important in regard to Missouri school children. Many students do not understand their rights and often feel intimidated to not show their faith at school out of fear. HJR 62 makes it clear to all students they are allowed to pray and are free to do so without fear. To help make this clear, this amendment also requires public schools receiving state funds to prominently display the Bill of Rights of the Constitution.
No one in America should ever feel any pressure or intimidation for expressing their religious beliefs. Freedom of Religion was one of the primary precepts on which this nation was founded. The Missouri House just took another step forward to ensure our freedom of religion is further protected from any infringement.
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