Date: February 17, 2025 To: Rep. Christ and members of the House Emerging Issues Committee From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our support for HB 723 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work, we organize a...Read More

Date: February 12, 2025 To: Sen. Schroer, and Members of the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our support for SB 218 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all...Read More

Date: February 12, 2025 To: Sen. Schroer, and Members of the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our support for SB 218 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work,...Read More

Date: February 5, 2025 To: Chairman Myers and Members, House Crime and Public Safety Committee From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower Missouri Re: HB 862 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty advocacy organization in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. Since our inception,...Read More

Date: February 5, 2025 To: Chairman Myers and Members, House Crime and Public Safety Committee From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower Missouri Re: HB 314 & HB 389 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty advocacy organization in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy....Read More

Date: January 27, 2025 To: Chairman Fitzwater and Members, Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower Missouri Re: SB 72 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,...Read More

Date: January 22, 2025 To: Chairman Myers and Members of the House Committee on Crime and Public Safety From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower Missouri Re: Our opposition to HB 495 On behalf of the staff, board, and statewide Criminal Justice Coalition convened by Empower Missouri, I am here today to oppose HB 495. I...Read More

Almost every public institution, and many in the private sector, contains some form of built-in accountability system. In our public school districts, local residents are elected to serve on the school board and ensure that the community’s interests are being represented in the school system. Hospitals, nursing homes, banks, museums, and zoos are other examples...Read More

Missouri is one of only a handful of states that still regularly executes its citizens. On April 9th of this year, Missouri carried out its first execution of 2024, killing Brian Dorsey despite a clemency campaign that had unprecedented support from correctional officers and a former prison warden. Although the death penalty is still legal...Read More

Date: March 26, 2024To: Representative Alex Riley, and members of the House General Laws CommitteeFrom: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our support for HB 2468 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work, we organize a statewide Community...Read More