Tax Credits

Governor Matt Blunt has signed into law a $66 million economic development bill that provides state income tax credits for filmmakers, beef cattle farmers and developers who agree to invest in certain impoverished areas. The centerpiece of the new law expands the Quality Jobs Program that provides tax credits to businesses that add jobs paying wages at least equal to the average county or state average wage and agree to cover at least half of the employees’ health premiums.

The legislation passed the tax credit package by a vote of 125 to 19 in the Missouri House and by a vote of 25-7 in the Missouri Senate. Opposition centered on concerns that the tax breaks would deplete state revenue needed for critical state services. The Missouri Budget Project, a nonprofit group that monitors state budget issues, stated that even without passage of the legislation the state of Missouri could face a revenue shortfall of $264 million by fiscal year 2010. The group indicated support for some expansion of the Quality Jobs Program but opposition to other provisions of the bill.

Concerns were also raised that the legislation catered too much to special interests. State Representative Belinda Harris (D-Hillsboro) said “This is not the job of state government – this picking and choosing of which businesses will get these tax credits and putting other businesses at a disadvantage.’

The Missouri Catholic Conference took no formal position on the legislation. In general, the MCC has supported tax credits when a convincing case is made that they will promote the common good. The MCC, for example, supported a tax credit for the adoption of special needs children and a tax credit to promote the work of crisis pregnancy centers. The MCC has also supported tax deductions and credits for the educational expenses borne by public and private school parents. At the same time, the MCC has testified to the Joint Committee on Tax Policy that some tax credits may warrant repeal, especially if they only enrich special interests and no public benefit can be determined.

Number of Uninsured Increases

A report by St. Louis University Professor Timothy D. McBride reports that the number of Missourians without health care coverage has increased by over 15 percent from 2005 to 2006, rising from 668,146 to 771,682. The most important factor in the rise in the number of the uninsured, according to Professor McBride, was the 2005 Medicaid cuts made by the state legislature which dropped insurance coverage for an estimated 60,000 poor, elderly and disabled people. The Missouri Catholic Conference opposed the 2005 Medicaid cuts and has worked in subsequent legislative sessions to restore health coverage for Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens.

MCC Citizen Recognition Awards to be Presented at Annual Assembly, September 29, 2007

Each year the MCC recognizes one individual from each of Missouri’s four Catholic dioceses whose actions promote the common good. The honorees for this year are:

Mr. Michael Kalist of the Archdiocese of St. Louis receives the award for his dedication to Catholic youth for the last 44 years. Through his involvement with sports, scouting, youth ministry and theatre, Mr. Kalist’s activities affect up to 65,000 children each year. His efforts have promoted the physical, intellectual and spiritual well being of the participants in Catholic Youth Council sports and plays he has directed, and provided moral leadership to help them become givers of their time, talents and treasures. Michael is a member of Most Holy Name of Jesus parish in St. Louis County.

Gerard and Kaye Meiners were chosen from the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph for their tireless dedication to pro-life issues. Each year they coordinate the annual Vitae Society Foundation golf tournament. The Meiners participate in, as well as, lead several diocesan, parish and community pro-life activities. They were heavily involved in the 2006 campaign to ban human cloning in Missouri, and met with several business leaders to discuss the issue. The Meiners are members of St. Thomas More parish.

Dorothy and Rudolph Lemke are the honorees for the Diocese of Jefferson City. Dorothy and Rudolph have capitalized on Dorothy’s knowledge as an optician for almost 50 years in providing eyeglasses for the poor. For the past 30 years the two have traveled to Merida, Mexico to deliver discarded eyeglasses to the rural poor whom the government refuses to help. While the prescription may not be exact, the Lemke’s realize that even a modest improvement can mean a better life for the poor. The Lemke’s are members of St. Joseph Cathedral parish.

Mr. Robert Horton of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau receives the award for his dedication to social justice and action through his work as Executive Director of Springfield’s Urban Neighborhood Alliance. Robert’s work with the inner city has seen him lead the community to resist expansion of payday loan stores while working with banks to provide low interest loans for individuals to improve their homes and neighborhoods. He also provides financial literacy classes to help individuals better understand personal finance issues. Robert is a member of Sacred Heart parish.

For more information on how you can nominate a fellow Catholic for this respected recognition please visit the MCC website at www.mocatholic.org.