Louisiana's proposed tax credit for anti-abortion pregnancy centers clears first hurdle

[RandySF]

A proposed income tax credit for anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers — one that could cost the state as much as $5 million annually — cleared its first hurdle Monday in the Louisiana Legislature.

Senate Bill 41, sponsored by Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, would allow individuals and corporations to claim an income tax break of up to $5,000 annually for donations made to controversial crisis pregnancy centers, which are referred to as “maternal wellness centers” in the legislation.

The tax break would apply to half of an individual donation made to one of these organizations. It could be used for income earned from the beginning of 2024 through the end of 2030.

The legislation specifically prohibits these tax benefits from going to organizations that recommend or support abortion services.

“There is a growing need for this type of service in the state,” said Kimberly Schultz, who testified in favor of the bill at a legislative hearing Monday.

Schultz, who identified as a birth mother, said she could have used this type of center when she became pregnant at 14 years old and decided to place her baby with an adoptive family.



https://lailluminator.com/2023/04/24/louisiana-proposed-tax-credit-for-anti-abortion-pregnancy-centers-clears-first-hurdle/

[Freethinker65]

1. Good thing Louisianans don't need $$ for infrastructure/public schools/environmental concerns

And that they are still rolling in all that oil money from years past.

[Phoenix61]

2. No one has an issue with centers that offer counseling

to pregnant people who don’t want to terminate their pregnancy. Catholic Social Services and Children’s Home Society come to mind. People have a HUGE issue with centers that intentionally misrepresent what they do. It would be equally wrong for a center to, let’s say, have logo featuring a woman holding an infant to only offer abortion services. Of course, that would never happen because pro-choice is just that, you get to choose what is best for you.

[StevieM]

3. I do have an issue with many of these centers for additional reasons.

Many of these centers often seek to coerce pregnant women who are hoping to parent into believing that they do not deserve to be a mother and should give their child up for adoption.

[Phoenix61]

4. I worked for both of them and that never happened.

Granted, it was one of each so there’s that. I completely agree, an adoption agency should say that’s what it is. Counseling is helping someone decide what they want without an hidden agenda and supporting them in whatever choice they make.