The 2026 Missouri Legislative Session ended with drama – this time in a good way. Three key policies entered the final week as almost-passed…but not quite. Clean Slate, land banks improvements, and Food is Medicine legislation were all passed by at least one chamber by the end of April but had not yet fully cleared...Lee mas

Steve has long wrestled with the harsh realities of being a renter in America. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000 and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis even earlier, Steve has been on disability for much of his life. Originally from California, his journey as a tenant began in Texas after high school, where he encountered his first...Lee mas

Just like James Earl Jones said in the 1989 classic Field of Dreams, “People will come.” So many of us are driven by a longing for the past and a nostalgic trip down memory lane that leads us to a place of comfort where we’re reminded of a simpler life. That “simple life” ideology often...Lee mas

Date: March 24, 2026 To: Chairman Ben Brown and Members, Senate Committee on Emerging Issues & Professional Registration  From: Lucas Caldwell-McMillan, Chief of Policy Staff, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 920 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state. As part of our work, we convene a statewide...Lee mas

Homelessness is in the news again as communities across Missouri conduct a one-day “point-in-time count,” a brief snapshot of individuals experiencing homelessness throughout our state. While it is too early to know the trends for all of Missouri, it is clear from initial reports that many Missourians are still struggling with homelessness. The most effective...Lee mas

When Congress returns in January, the U.S. Senate will face a series of votes that will determine the future of federal housing programs Missourians rely on to stay housed. In late December, Senate leaders made progress in negotiations to prevent a February shutdown. The negotiations focused on an early January vote on a “minibus” bill...Lee mas

Advocate (n.) a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy (rhymes with kit)  Advocate (v.) publicly recommend or support (rhymes with ate)  The term advocate (both pronunciations! 🙂) piqued my interest and became an integral piece of my vocabulary one random day during a Nutrition for Health class inside the Scully...Lee mas