Taxes

Bill #: HB 2457

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill

Short Description: Bill would increase the income tax credit against income tax liability for the value of a donation of food or cash to a food bank, homeless shelter or soup kitchen from 50 to 70%; sets a cap on the total amount of tax credits that can be allocated to Missourians.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, March 23 at 4:30 PM. 

Talking points:  

• The implementation of the bill is complicated

• The bill would divert an additional $1 million of tax revenue to supplying food pantries, local soup kitchens, and local homeless shelters

• The bill favors the support of nongovernmental nonprofit entities, the efficiency and operations of which the state has no control, over funding of other governmental programs through those tax credit dollars

• Application for the credit does not require clear substantiation, like receipts for actual food donated, or copies of donation checks - the only requirement is that "an eligible staff member of the food pantry, homeless shelter, or soup kitchen certify that each contribution reported was received." Thus allowing for overstatement of the actual value of the donation

Link to the summary of the bill: HB 2457

Call to action: Submit testimony to OPPOSE HB 2457 HERE. Make sure to mark “In Opposition to” under reason in testimony form.

LWV Position: BASIC TAX CRITERIA: The structure should include many kinds of taxes to provide stable revenue sufficient to meet budgetary needs. A tax system should be flexible and adapt to changing conditions and needs…A tax should be easy to understand and comply with and an appeal should be simple and inexpensive. A tax should be difficult to evade and easy to enforce. (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2025-2027, p. 31)

Climate and Environment

Bill #: SB 959 

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill

Short Description: Creates the Missouri Geospatial Advisory Council.

Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Formal Perfection calendar for Monday, March 23.

Talking points:  

• Encourages effective land use management

• Improves coordination across government agencies

• Saves taxpayer money by sharing geospatial data between state and local governments

• Missouri Geographic Information Systems Advisory Council supports SB 959

Link to the summary of the bill: SB 959

Call to action: Contact your individual senator to tell them to SUPPORT this bill. Find your representative HERE.

LWV Position: Supports the adoption and implementation of long-range land use plans and regulations by state, county and municipal governments which incorporate sound policy development based upon the goals, needs and resources of each locale. Effective land use management requires adequate financing, involvement of professional planners and increased public information and participation. (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2025-2027, p. 51)

Education

Bill #: HCS HB 2710 (House bill now in the Senate)

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill

Short Description: This bill requires the State Board of Education to develop an annual report card for public schools rating them A-F. It also creates the "Show Me Success Program" to provide additional funding to public schools that demonstrate strong student academic growth, sustained improvement over time, or success in closing achievement gaps, as determined by the department of elementary and secondary education.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, March 24 at 8:00 AM. 

Talking points:  

• Schools that have better funding will do better academically and those with less funding, who actually need more funds will do poorer, resulting in an imbalance of funds

• Schools that have more children with challenges at home, or students with educational challenges will score lower and will not receive funding to boost academia

Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HB 2710

Call to action: Contact Committee members and tell them you OPPOSE this bill. Members of the Senate Education Committee can be found HERE. Click on the Senator’s picture and you will be taken to their information page for their contact information.

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of Missouri believes equality of opportunity in education is a state responsibility. (LWVMO Guide to State Action 2025-2027, p. 31)