SB143 amends current law, which permits tax credits for donations made to local food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters. Under the current law, these tax credits are capped at annual authorizations of $1.75 million. This act raises the maximum number of annual authorizations to $2.75 million. Additionally, this act introduces a new provision authorizing a tax credit for expenses related to the establishment of a full-service grocery store situated in a food desert.
The Missouri State Senate passed SB143 on April 6, 2023 by a vote of 28 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this constitutes an improper allocation of government funds that disproportionately benefits a specific industry or group of individuals. This as an instance of government interference in the free market, as it grants preferential treatment to one industry over others.