Feb. 1, 2018

Senator Jay Wasson’s Legislative Column for the Week of Jan. 29, 2018

As we come to the close of the first month of the 2018 legislative session, I would like to highlight a piece of legislation that is very important to me and how it will benefit thousands of children throughout Missouri.

Senate Bill 631 provides a tax credit for anyone who makes a contribution to an organization that provides funding to address unmet health, hunger and hygiene needs of children in Missouri schools.

The uniqueness of SB 631 is that although it is a tax credit, it does not reduce state revenue. When an individual makes a donation, they receive a 50 percent tax credit. The organization receives 50 percent of the donation and provides the other 50 percent back to the state, making this tax credit revenue neutral. This means the donor, the organization and the state all benefit from this plan.  The Missouri Department of Social Services would oversee the tax credit program.

One organization benefitting from this legislation is Care to Learn based out of Springfield. The mission of Care to Learn is to provide immediate funding to meet emergent needs in the areas of health, hunger and hygiene so every student can be successful in school. While Care to Learn started in Springfield, they strive to ensure students in schools throughout Missouri have access to the support they need to be healthy and comfortable in their learning environments. Care to Learn has grown to 33 chapters, from Southwest Missouri to St. Louis and from Kansas City to Cape Girardeau. Care to Learn is focused on adding more chapters throughout Missouri in 2018 and beyond so more students will have access to immediate assistance so they can stay in school and be successful.

If signed into law, SB 631 would encourage Missourians and members of our business community to donate to this worthy cause and others like it. With increased donations and community participation, Care to Learn will be able to reach more of Missouri’s children and help provide them the basic necessities they need to excel in school. SB 631 was heard in the Economic Development committee.

I encourage you to visit the Care to Learn website, read about their work and find out how you can get involved and make a positive difference in these children’s lives.

If you have any questions or comments about this or any other matter regarding your state government, please feel free to contact me at (573) 751-1503; you are also welcome to e-mail me at jay.wasson@senate.mo.gov.