Every year, bills are filed in Missouri that would increase prison sentences. Politicians’ commitment to being perceived as tough on crime is evergreen, as popular of a tactic now as it was in the 1980s with the rise of mass incarceration. This year, these types of bills have gained more traction than ever, with early...Lee mas

Date: March 12, 2025 To: Chairman Don Mayhew and Members of the Corrections and Public Institutions Committee From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 617 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...Lee mas

Date: March 5th, 2025 To: Rep. Parker and members of the House Judiciary CommitteeFrom: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our Support for HB 82 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 Justice Coalition...Lee mas

Date: March 5th, 2025 To: Members of the Crime and Public Safety CommitteeFrom: Rika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our Support for HB 728 On behalf of our staff, board, and the members of our Crime and Public Safety committee, I ask that you vote “do pass” on HB 728. This bill modifies provisions...Lee mas

In this year’s State of the State address, our new Governor, Mike Kehoe urged legislators to pass a “comprehensive crime bill that includes increasing penalties for crimes like violent rioting and fleeing from law enforcement in a vehicle, cracking down on criminals who participate in reckless stunt driving and street racing, and efforts to increase...Lee mas

SB 52 and HB 495 are two large criminal justice bills working their way quickly through the legislature; SB 52 has been passed out of committee and is on the calendar for floor debate, and HB 495 has fully passed the House, and has passed the Senate Public Safety Committee. Among other provisions, both bills...Lee mas

Last week Empower Missouri was joined by almost 200 advocates, community members, and supporters for our Day of Action at the State Capitol. It was a fantastic day of advocacy, camaraderie, and community. Attendees reached every corner of the Capitol, and it seemed like every time I turned a corner or stepped onto the elevator,...Lee mas

Date: February 26, 2025 To: Rep. Parker, Chairman, and members of the House Judiciary Committee From: Rika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our support for HB 731 and HB 1075 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work,...Lee mas

Date: February 26, 2025 To: Senator Schroer, Chairman, and Members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence From: Gwen Smith-Moore, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 353 and SB 434 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the...Lee mas

Date: February 26, 2025 To: Chairman Schroer and Members, Senate Judiciary Committee Re: SB 251, SB 281, and SB 449 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, Empower Missouri has focused on...Lee mas