For the last few years, I have written about the topic of local control as it pertains to the St. Louis City and Kansas City Police Departments, pushing back against state legislators who want to take control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and expand their control over the Kansas City Police Department. However,...Read More

Date: February 7th, 2024To: Chairman Bromley and members of the Utilities CommitteeFrom: Trina Ragain, Lead Policy Strategist, Empower MissouriRe: Opposition to HB 1435, HB 1804 and HB 2541 Empower Missouri, established in 1901, stands as the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in our state. Central to our mission is the convening of a statewide Affordable Housing...Read More

Date: February 6, 2024To: Chairman Brown and members of the Senate Emerging Issues CommitteeFrom: Trina Ragain, Lead Policy Strategist, Empower MissouriRe: Opposition to SB 895 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 Coalition every month. This coalition...Read More

Date: February 6, 2024 To: Chairwoman McGaugh and Members, Elections and Elected Officials Committee From: Trina Ragain, Lead Policy Strategist, Empower Missouri Re: Opposition for Altering the Initiative Petition Process and Requirements through HJR 67 and HJR 93 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the...Read More

As I look around the neighborhood I live in, I see mostly faces that look like mine. The same is likely true for the neighborhoods you live in. The reality for many of us is that the racial makeup of our neighborhoods continue to be impacted by the legacy of racist housing policies and redlining....Read More

Date: January 23, 2024 To: Chairman Hovis and Members, House Pensions Committee From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri RE: HJR 92 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 through advocacy. Since our inception, Empower Missouri...Read More

Date: January 23, 2024 To: Chairwoman McGaugh and Members, Elections and Elected Officials Committee From: Trina Ragain, Lead Policy Strategist, Empower Missouri Re: Opposition for Altering the Initiative Petition Process and Requirements through HB 1749, HJR 72, HJR 102 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving...Read More

It seems hard to believe that we’re only a month away from the start of a new year, and a new legislative session. Pre-filing opens for the Missouri legislature today, a process where legislators from both chambers can begin filing their bills ahead of the 2024 session. Bills that are filed on December 1st are...Read More

Some of my earliest memories with my sister as we were growing up were visiting my mother at work at what used to be Municipal Ambulance Services Trust (MAST) in Kansas City. I remember being in the dispatch room where everyone who answered 911 sat in front of several monitors with highlighted maps and spreadsheets...Read More

As we near the end of 2023, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact we have achieved together at Empower Missouri. The unwavering commitment and support of our community of advocates has allowed us to make a real difference in the lives of countless individuals and communities across our great...Read More