Under The Dome with Empower Missouri

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.

Under the Dome - January 26th, 2024

Gwen Smith-Moore joins us this week to discuss a wild week with several criminal legal reform hearings. And Sarah gets to say 'swamp creatures' on the podcast! Fun week with many moving parts and some distractions.

Under the Dome - January 19th, 2024

Our first podcast of 2024 and we had a BUSY week. Criminal Justice and Housing priorities both had hearings, including 2024's first marathon hearing that left Mallory in need of a snack and some water. And- welcome Trina Ragain to the team! We all survived and we're glad to be back catching you up on the goings-on in Jefferson City.

Under the Dome - May 15th End of Session Report

A quick run down for Criminal Justice and Food security language we helped get across the finish line. Transitional benefits, crack sentencing disparity, IP reform, and more. 

Under The Dome - May 5th, 2023

Too fast to keep up with and also somehow, at a complete standstill- this was filibuster week in the Missouri state legislature. Join us to talk about the status of key criminal justice reforms, medicaid for postpartum mothers, the benefits cliff, and the cliff we all may fall off of without a final budget.