Date: January 24th, 2024 To: Representative Rudy Viet, Chairman, and Members of the House Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri RE: Support for HB 2203 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for...Read More

Date: January 24, 2024 To: Chairman David Evans and Members of the Judiciary Committee  From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri RE: Support for HB 1927 and Restoring Voting Rights Empower Missouri has been committed for over 120 years to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy and policy...Read More

Date: January 23, 2024 To: Chairman Hovis and Members, House Pensions Committee From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri RE: HJR 92 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. Since our inception, Empower Missouri...Read More

Date: January 23, 2024 To: Chairwoman McGaugh and Members, Elections and Elected Officials Committee From: Trina Ragain, Lead Policy Strategist, Empower Missouri Re: Opposition for Altering the Initiative Petition Process and Requirements through HB 1749, HJR 72, HJR 102 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving...Read More

For the past two years, Empower Missouri has been spearheading research into the practice of private probation in Missouri, to better understand its scope and implications for policy reform. Missouri is one of 12 states to utilize the controversial practice of private probation. Private probation is used in some counties to outsource supervision for misdemeanor...Read More