Date: March 4, 2025To: Rep. Ben Baker, Chairman, and Members, Committee on Government EfficiencyFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our Opposition to HB 315 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 coalition called...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

Date: March 5th, 2025 To: Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, Chair, and members of the Special Committee on   Rural IssuesFrom: Misha Smith, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Opposition to HB 595 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

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

My name is Christine Woody. I am the Food Security Policy Manager for a statewide non-profit organization called Empower Missouri. We lead a statewide coalition working to end hunger in our state. Thank you for hearing my testimony today. HB 1222 which asks Missouri to submit a waiver to USDA to allow The Department of...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: March 3rd, 2025 To: Sen. Rusty Black, Chair, and members of the Local Government, Elections, and Pensions CommitteeFrom: Misha Smith, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Opposition to HB 595 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 Housing...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