Date: February 18, 2026 To: Chairman Schroer and Members, Senate Judiciary Committee From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director  Re: SB 854 and SB 1494 We are thrilled to offer testimony in support of SB 854 and SB 1494. Our nation’s criminal justice system was conceived and implemented long before the internet became an integral component of...Lee mas

In 1901, a group of 41 Missourians came together to form the Missouri Conference on Charities and Corrections, the organization that would eventually become Empower Missouri. The group was deeply concerned about social conditions in the state and around the country: Segregation was the law of the land. Women couldn’t vote, and many died in...Lee mas

February 11, 2026 To: Senator Brown and Members, Senate Economic Workforce and Development Committee From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 1239 Empower Missouri is the state’s largest anti-poverty advocacy organization, working across rural and urban communities to advance policies that promote economic stability, affordability, and opportunity for Missouri...Lee mas

Date: February 11, 2026 To: Chairman Hinman and Members, Local Government Committee From: Erica Robbins, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2898 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state. As part of our work, we organize a statewide Affordable Housing Coalition. This coalition is...Lee mas

Date: February 9, 2026 To: Committee Chair Brad Christ, and members of the House Emerging Issues Committee  From: Lucas Caldwell-McMillan, Chief of Policy Staff, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2830 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state. As part of our work, we convene a statewide Affordable...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

February 2, 2026 To: Chairman Don Mayhew and Members of the Corrections and Public Institutions Committee From: Gwen Smith-Moore, Empower Missouri  RE: Support for HB 2592 & HB 2834 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

As part of Empower Missouri’s momentous 125th Anniversary celebrations, we are thrilled to announce our new Charles Ellwood Graduate Fellowship program, named for one of Empower Missouri’s founders and earliest Presidents. Ellwood dedicated his life and work to addressing social problems. He advocated for an ethical approach to sociology and taught his students to do...Lee mas

January 28, 2026 To: Senator Brown and Members, Senate Economic Workforce and Development Committee From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 1017 Empower Missouri is the state’s largest anti-poverty advocacy organization, working across rural and urban communities to advance policies that promote economic stability, affordability, and opportunity for Missouri...Lee mas