Date:   March 9, 2026 To:     Chairman Mayhew and Members, Corrections and Public Institutions Committee From:  Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri RE:      Support HB 2153 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...Lee mas

March 11, 2026 To:  Chairman Brown and The Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee From: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Senate Bill 1082 My name is Christine Woody and I am the Food Security Policy manager for Empower Missouri. We are a statewide non-profit organization that leads a statewide coalition on...Lee mas

Date: March 5, 2026 To: Chairman Casteel and members of the House Commerce Committee From:  Erica Robbins, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 3230 Empower Missouri believes a Missouri without homelessness is possible. We convene a statewide coalition supporting the advancement of evidence-based public policy to increase the availability of affordable...Lee mas

Governor Kehoe and some Republican legislators are advancing a new tax plan for Missouri that boils down to swapping out Missouri’s income tax (currently capped at 4.7%) for a greatly expanded sales tax on the products and services Missourians purchase every day. Our partners at Missouri Budget Project estimate that over 80% of Missourians would pay more in...Lee mas

March 10, 2026 To:  Chairman McGirl and The House Ways and Means Committee From: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: House Bill 2461 My name is Christine Woody and I am the Food Security Policy manager for Empower Missouri. We are a statewide non-profit organization that leads a statewide coalition on food...Lee mas

February 18, 2026 To: Representative Stinnett, and Members, House Health and Mental Health Committee From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2355 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

March 4, 2026 To: Senator Jill Carter, Chair and the Members of the Families, Seniors and Health Committee From: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 875 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the oldest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state. As part of our work, we organize a statewide...Lee mas

February 25, 2026 To: Rep. Ben Keathley, Chairman, and Members, House Committee on General Laws From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower Missouri Re: Our opposition to HB 1974 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...Lee mas

February 25, 2026To: Representative Keathley and Members of the House General Laws CommitteeFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager at Empower MissouriRe:   HB 2481 and HB 2468 Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Christine Woody and I am with Empower Missouri. Empower Missouri is the state’s largest anti-poverty advocacy...Lee mas

Date: February 24, 2026 To: Committee Chair Representative Gallick, and members of the House Economic Development Committee  From:  Erica Robbins, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 1716 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state and for 125 years, we have worked diligently to create...Lee mas