A New Missouri Bill Would Let Residents Donate to Anti-Abortion Centers Instead of Paying Any Taxes

Republican lawmakers in Missouri are advancing a plan to allow residents to donate to pregnancy resource centers instead of paying any state income taxes.

The proposal would establish a 100% tax credit, up from 70% , and a $ 50,000 annual cap per taxpayer.

Supporters say it gives taxpayers more control over where their tax dollars go and allows them to support organizations that help pregnant women.

Critics say many centers do little to actually help women; instead, they say they merely discourage women from getting abortions.

Missouri was the first state to use tax credits to fund pregnancy centers, becoming a model for other states looking to support the anti-abortion movement.

The bill would also increase the tax credit for donations to maternity homes from 70% to 100% .

The state has not yet studied the impact of those changes.

Missouri 's approach to crisis pregnancy centers reflects a growing divide between red and blue states.