Under The Dome with Empower Missouri

Under the Dome - April 12, 2024

Join us on Under the Dome, the insightful podcast from Empower Missouri, where we share our century-long pursuit of fostering evidence-based public policies aimed at ending poverty. In this episode, our Advocacy Director Sarah Owsley, Criminal Justice Policy Manager Gwen Smith-Moore, and Affordable Housing Policy Manager Misha Smith share about the week before in Jefferson City.
Gwen shares her experiences in the audience of the first-ever TED Talk held in a Missouri prison and celebrates the unanimous committee vote backing our Clean Slate House bills. We shift our attention to affordable housing through the lens of the land bank bill proposed by Representative Owen. While the bill, if passed, holds promise in extending communities' capacity to establish land banks and repurpose neglected properties for affordable housing, we weigh the potential oversights and abuses. We also delve into critical issues surrounding land banks, home ownership accessibility, and the broader spectrum of affordable housing. We stress the importance of anti-gentrification language in land banks and highlight how these entities can introduce vital community infrastructure while ensuring no unjust property seizures. Finally we discuss Source of Income protection and why landlords should join us against discrimination.

Under the Dome - April 5, 2024

Welcome to the latest episode of Under the Dome, a podcast produced by Empower Missouri. We provide you with timely updates about our activities in Jefferson City, particularly focusing on our commitment to anti-poverty work. In this episode, Sarah Owsley, our Advocacy Director, is joined by Christine Woody, the Food Security Policy Manager at Empower Missouri. An unexpected technical glitch resulted in difficulties with the audio recording of the episode, so parts of the conversation with Christine may not have been captured fully. Nevertheless, Sarah does her best to provide a comprehensive and engaging discussion.
The duo discuss the hectic nature of the legislative session, which usually ramps up around mid-April. Moving onto specific issues, the conversation explores the recent developments regarding the state sales tax on food and the complex implications for local municipalities and low-income families. Sarah shares how we're part of the influential amicus brief in the Johnson v. Grants Pass case, which contends that it should be unconstitutional to arrest the homeless for "existing" outdoors.
Stay tuned for more interesting insights and updates from the realm of public policy advocacy under the dome in Jefferson City!

Under the Dome - March 29, 2024

Welcome to the 'Under the Dome' podcast, a platform dedicated to fighting against poverty in Missouri. In this week's episode, Empower Missouri Advocacy Director, Sarah Owsley, Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, and our Community Justice Policy Intern, Eric Reiter, take you on a journey through a week filled with action, advocacy, and legislative change. The week we took over 100 advocates into the Capitol, many for their first time. In addition one of our major priorities: Clean Slate received a set of hearings in the House and Senate. 

Empower Missouri Day of Action Rally

In this podcast episode, we get a glimpse into the Day of Action held by Empower Missouri, aimed at addressing poverty and its affiliated state policies impacting Missourians. Advocacy leaders, elected officials, and individuals affected by poverty come together in Jefferson City to discuss and strategize the dissolution of poverty-inducing policies.
The episode begins with an incisive assessment of state poverty statistics by Mallory Rush, Executive Director of Empower Missouri. Mallory expertly deciphers the codes of poverty, emphasizing its link with state policies rather than simply individual circumstances. Her sharp analysis of economic adversity showcases policy reform as a critical tool against poverty. Missouri State Senator Brian Williams follows up with compelling arguments on issues of criminal justice, child hunger, and the significance of clean slate legislation.
The discussion then shifts to the intricacies of housing instability for ex-offenders and individuals relying on housing vouchers, highlighting legislative attempts fueling discrimination. Marqueia Watson appeals earnestly for dignified housing for low-income individuals, juxtaposing their struggles against the realities of housing discrimination.
Encircling food insecurity, healthcare, and post-incarceration challenges, this episode implores collective responsibility and was an urgent call to action for inclusive policy reforms. Poverty-stricken Missourians are catalysts urging towards welfare rights and social justice.
The podcast further dives into the high food insecurity rates in Missouri, the need for universal healthcare, and access to birth control as an anti-poverty measure. It sheds light on the Missouri Family Health Council's efforts towards insurance coverage for continuous birth control to reduce unintended pregnancies.

Under the Dome - March 15, 2024

Welcome to an insightful episode of "Under the Dome", the podcast from Empower Missouri that focuses on our anti-poverty agenda. In this episode, we discuss our efforts to influence public policy development with evidence, aiming to tackle poverty in Missouri. Featured guests include Gwen Smith-Moore, our Criminal Justice Policy Manager, and Sarah Owsley, our Advocacy Director. They share their experiences attending lobby days at the Capitol and articulate their objections to certain policies including Senate Bill 951 which seeks to expand the death penalty to non-homicide charges and Senate Bill 1336 which criminalizes homelessness. Join us as we delve into these critical issues looking for sustainable solutions.

Under the Dome - March 08, 2024

Empower Missouri supported several of our partners in the Capital this week, testified on two bills from our Food Security agenda, and had a pop quiz!

Under the Dome - March 1, 2024

A week of movement on several omnibus criminal justice bills, our least favorite TANF bill, and an invitation to join us or our partners in Jefferson City. Also: Send us your questions (about policy, poverty, advocacy, or anything else) and we will answer them in an upcoming podcast!

Under the Dome - February 23, 2024

Another criminal justice heavy week where Empower Missouri didn't have any grown ups in the Capital. Also: Initiative Petition attacks, improving 911, and how to treat people like they belong here. 

Under the Dome - February 16, 2024

A special double episode as our staff emerges from our individual illnesses to catch you up on the happenings in Jefferson City. We testified in a very long immigration hearing, poor Missourians still deserve to hear, and land banks are the policy solution to two very visible problems we drive by everyday. 

Under the Dome - Feb 2nd 2024

We had tons of fun in the Missouri state legislature this week. We joined hundreds of fellow advocates testifying against Initiative Petition changes, for the Senate to advance it anyway. Gwen testified in support of a bill that would end the practice of shackling youth and pregnant people while also opting Missouri out of the federal SNAP ban for people with drug felonies. And Trina learned some of the hardest parts of housing organizing. Catch up with us, Under The Dome with Empower Missouri.