Under The Dome with Empower Missouri

Under the Dome: Survivors’ Justice, Food as Medicine, and the CARE Act Update

In this episode of Under the Dome, Empower Missouri staff review recent activity at the Missouri Capitol focused on anti-poverty policy. They discuss the Survivors Justice Act (HB 1872) enabling resentencing reviews for people whose offenses were related to abuse, the Food as Medicine Act (HB 2355) advancing through the House, and the CARE Act proposals to ensure emergency contraception and STI screening for sexual assault survivors. They talk about the differences between emergency contraception and oral abortion medications, here is a resource on information for your own knowledge. 
The hosts also share behind-the-scenes moments from frustrating hearings, advocacy wins, community film screenings and how Kansas City crushed it.

Under the Dome: Paperwork That Pushes Neighbors Out of Benefits

Empower Missouri’s Mallory Rusch hosts a Capitol update with Lucas Caldwell-McMillan and Christine Woody on the organization’s anti-poverty work. They discuss harmful proposed citizen verification rules for SNAP and Medicaid that could block eligible citizens and children from benefits, child advocacy day, the push for a year’s supply of birth control, efforts to curb institutional investors buying single-family homes, and progress on the Clean Slate bill.

Under the Dome: Spring Break catch-uo

Empower Missouri’s policy team gives a concise update from Jefferson City during the 2026 legislative spring break: progress on food security (including the Food as Medicine bill and grocery tax changes), affordable housing funding proposals like increasing the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, and criminal justice priorities such as clean slate record sealing, oversight reforms, and concerns about sentencing bills and benefits access.
The episode highlights wins, setbacks, and actions you can take to support these evidence‑based anti‑poverty policies moving into the second half of the legislative session.

The week of March 9: Juvenile Reforms, Death Penalty Debate, and a $1B Prison Surprise

Empower Missouri’s Under the Dome update covers this week’s major developments in Jefferson City including House Bill 2722 to create liaisons for students experiencing homelessness and a historic committee hearing on Representative Murphy’s bill to abolish the death penalty. Finally we rage against Senate Bill 888 — an omnibus juvenile justice and sentencing package that was rushed through committee and carries a controversial fiscal note estimating up to $825 million for a new prison. The episode also discusses a proposed constitutional tax amendment that could shift Missouri’s revenue mix and raise costs for many residents.

Clean Slate Breakthrough: Missouri House Votes 140–7

In this episode of "Under the Dome," Empower Missouri's policy team reports on recent action in Jefferson City across food security, criminal justice, and affordable housing. They cover committee votes on SNAP-related bills, hearings for "food is medicine" and a Restaurant Meals pilot, and the TANF cash-access proposal being stalled.
Guests celebrate the Clean Slate bill (HB 2747) passing the House, discuss closing the judicial override loophole, efforts to restore voting rights for people on supervision (HB 2592), new workforce housing and zoning proposals, and concerns about juvenile justice legislation and a proposed database.

A week of Too Many and Not Enough Hearings: The week of Feb 23rd 2026

Welcome to Under the Dome, an Empower Missouri update on our anti-poverty work in Jefferson City. This episode covers a chaotic three-bill hearing mixing SNAP and TANF issue including proposed harmful verification and cash-restriction measures. Erica testified in a hearing on rural workforce housing, and Rika presented in two hearings focused on independent corrections oversight. Finally, big momentum for Clean Slate after a major fiscal note reduction and upcoming fiscal review.

Anti-Poverty in the Building: Empower Missouri’s 2026 Day of Action

Empower Missouri’s Day of Action brought nearly 300 advocates to the state Capitol with partners Missouri Diaper Banks and the Missouri Coalition for ID Access. Our staff—both new and experienced—shared their expertise and met with lawmakers to advance key priorities.
Highlights include tenant union testimonies, justice advocates sharing reentry experiences, student groups experiencing advocacy firsthand, and action on Clean Slate, the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, ID access, and basic needs like nutritious food.
To partner or learn about Alliance membership and future events, contact us at EmpowerMissouri.org.

This Could Be the Year for Clean Slate — week of Feb 16th

Welcome to Under the Dome from Empower Missouri, focusing on anti-poverty policies in Jefferson City. This episode covers recent Clean Slate hearings and bipartisan support for automated record expungement. We discuss truth‑in‑sentencing and mandatory minimum bills with concerns about rising prison populations and parole transparency. Amanda testified in the Food Is Medicine hearing highlighting health and Medicaid savings. Progress was made on affordable housing through the Missouri Housing Trust Fund. Of course, Empower Missouri is always working on broader efforts to end poverty through evidence‑based policies.

The week of February 9th: Housing Trust Fund Hearing and What It Means

Host Sarah Owsley and Empower Missouri policy staff recap this week’s Jefferson City updates. They talk about the Missouri Housing Trust Fund hearing (HB 2830), testimony from housing and substance use disorder advocates, and local impacts discussed during committee testimony. The episode also covers opposition to grocery tax changes, food security policy priorities, and a preview of the upcoming Day of Action where advocates will meet lawmakers to push food-as-medicine bills and other anti-poverty measures. And there's another dog. 

Voting Rights, Clean Slate, and props for our Comms Team: The week that was Feb 2nd 2026

Empower Missouri’s update from Jefferson City centers on their anti-poverty agenda: advancing voting-rights restoration for people on probation or parole, building momentum for the Clean Slate expungement campaign, and pushing to increase funding for the Missouri Housing Trust Fund.
The episode highlights recent committee hearings, a voter-protection lobby day, a Clean Slate town hall, community testimony, and upcoming bill hearings—calling listeners to engage, contact lawmakers, and join the day of action. We've also got some more t-shirt ideas for you, all of them terrible.