January 26, 2024

House Ways and Means Committee Hears Tax Credit Bill

This week, the House Ways and Means Committee heard HB 2089, sponsored by Rep. Michael O’Donnell (R-St. Louis), that would increase the state tax credits available under the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and the Youth Opportunity Program (YOP) from 50% to 70%, making them more attractive to donors and more competitive with other tax credits used by Catholic Charities and other non-profits to raise funds to support their work. Catholic Charities testified in support of the bill, and we anticipate the committee will vote on the bill next week.  Stay tuned.

Governor Parson Delivers Final State of the State Speech

Governor Mike Parson delivered his final State of the State speech this week, highlighting his successes while in office and outlining some of his priorities for FY ’25.  He told those in attendance that under his administration, he had lowered taxes, raised salaries for teachers, eliminated abortions in the state, invested in workforce development and new businesses, and completed highway bridge repairs and other infrastructure projects throughout the state.

He stated that he proposed spending additional funds to support early childhood education, raising teacher pay again, along with starting a fund to improve Interstate 44, while reporting that the effort to add a lane to I-70 across the state will begin in the summer of ’24 in Columbia. Governor Parson is serving his last term in office and plans to retire to his farm in Bolivar, MO.

Senate Addresses Obstructionist Senators

Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia), Speaker Pro Tem of the Senate, announced this week during a press conference that he was removing four Republican Senators, who are part of the Freedom Caucus, from their committee assignments in retribution for their behavior in preventing the Senate from conducting their business last week.  The unusual step was taken, he reported, as a result of obstructionist actions taken by the Senators over the course of the last few years.  The move raises questions about how effective the Senate will be this year, as several of the Senators impacted are running for statewide office in the upcoming election. Work always seems to get done at the end of the day, but this year may be particularly contentious. 

Keep the legislators in your prayers.  

Deacon Tyler