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

April 15th, 2026 To: Senator Carter, and Members, Families, Seniors, and Health Committee From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2372 Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough nutritious food for a healthy, active life. In Missouri, that is not a small issue. The...Lee mas

April 15th, 2026 To: Senator Carter, and Members, Families, Seniors, and Health Committee From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2355 We often think of healthcare and the economy as separate issues, but they are deeply connected. Diet-related conditions are one of the largest drivers of healthcare spending and...Lee mas

April 8th, 2026 To: Senator Carter, and Members, Families, Seniors, and Health Committee From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 1499 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 families....Lee mas

Date: April 2, 2026 To: Chair Stinnett and Members, House Health and Mental Health Committee From: Lucas Caldwell-McMillan, Chief of Policy Staff, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2370 Empower Missouri is the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state. We view the experience of poverty holistically, with impacts in all areas of an...Lee mas

Date: March 31, 2026 To: Representative Jones, Chairman, and Members of the House Children and Families Committee From: Gwen Smith-Moore, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri RE: Support for HB 1872 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...Lee mas

Missouri lawmakers are advancing a proposal that would fundamentally change how Missourians pay taxes. The plan would eliminate the state income tax and replace it with higher sales taxes and new taxes on services, giving the wealthiest Missourians a tax cut while raising taxes for most everyone else. In January, our partners at the Missouri...Lee mas