March 23, 2026 To:  Chairman McGirl and The House Ways and Means Committee From: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: House Bill 2457 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...Read More

Accountability Behind the Walls Here in Missouri, more than 24,000 people are incarcerated in the facilities across the state. The Department of Corrections (DOC) carries the responsibility of maintaining safety, rehabilitation, and ensuring lawful conditions. Independent oversight is necessary to ensure these responsibilities are met. Transparency and accountability are not optional in a system entrusted...Read More

Date: March 11, 2026 To: Chairman Lewis and members of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee From:   Erica Robbins, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2722 Empower Missouri believes a Missouri without homelessness is possible. We are the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state and have been advocating...Read More

Date:   March 10, 2026 To:     Chairman Mayhew and Members, Corrections and Public Institutions Committee From:   Gwen Smith-Moore, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri RE:      Oppose SB 888 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all...Read More

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...Read More

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...Read More

Empower Missouri has been around since 1901. One hundred twenty-five years is a long time—long enough for generations to come and go, for laws to change, communities to grow, and new challenges to emerge. Long enough for thousands of volunteers to give their time, energy, and voices to building a better state. This work has...Read More

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...Read More

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...Read More

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...Read More