Under The Dome with Empower Missouri

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. Progres...

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 ...

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 hearing...

Welcome to Under the Dome, an update from Empower Missouri on key happenings in Jefferson City focused on anti-poverty policy. This episode covers the strong Clean Slate hearing, efforts to eliminate the state grocery tax, concerns over proposed sales taxes on services, the SNAP ban for people with certain felony records, and debates around mandatory minimums and prison expansion. Staff discuss recent committee hearings, fiscal imp...

Empower Missouri's Under the Dome covers this weeks legislative developments with a focus on criminal legal reform and anti-poverty work. Hosts discuss a controversial juvenile justice bill that would create youth criminal-history databases and expand prosecutor involvement, and they explain concerns about youth certification and solitary confinement. They also preview a push for prison oversight (HB 1616) to create an independent ...

Welcome to Under the Dome: Empower Missouri’s weekly Jefferson City update focused on anti-poverty policy. Host Sarah Owsley and policy staff discuss reentry improvements like HB2302 to provide IDs and work documents at prison release, concerns about prison healthcare after a $3 million fine to the contractor Centurion, and growing calls for independent oversight of DOC.

They also cover affordable housing developments including a p...

In this episode, Empower Missouri’s Sarah Owsley and Gina Aitch of the Missouri Budget Project explain why Missouri faces a growing budget shortfall: one-time federal pandemic funds have ended, large state tax cuts have reduced general revenue, and new federal changes will shift more costs for Medicaid and SNAP to states.

They break down how those pressures could affect schools, health care, and local services, why replacing income...

Empower Missouri’s Advocacy Director Sarah Owsley, Chief of Policy Lucas Caldwell-McMillan, and Executive Director Mallory Rusch break down the governor’s special session in Jefferson City. The legislature passed a controversial congressional redistricting proposal that will split Kansas City and the high-profile push to change Missouri’s initiative petition process.

They explain the components of the initiative petition changes — ...

In this episode of Under the Dome, Empower Missouri’s Sarah Owsley, Lucas Caldwell-McMillan, and Mallory Rusch explain the Governor’s special session in Jefferson City, focusing on contested U.S. congressional map changes and a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at restricting citizen-initiated ballot measures.

After a brief discussion of the redistricting, the team shifts to discussing the proposed changes to the initiative p...

Welcome to the latest episode of "Under the Dome," a podcast by Empower Missouri focused on the anti-poverty agenda in Jefferson City. Host Sarah Owsley is joined by Lucas Caldwell McMillan and Sandy Padgett to address the challenges of rising utility rates in Missouri, and the vital role of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The episode explores how these increases are impacting vulnerable communities, includi...

Welcome to the "Under the Dome" podcast, where we provide updates on Missouri's anti-poverty initiatives. Join Sarah Owsley, Advocacy Director, alongside Christine Woody, one of our Food Security Policy Managers, and Lucas Caldwell-McMillan, our Chief of Policy Staff, as they delve into the implications of the budget reconciliation bill on SNAP and other essential programs.

This episode addresses the 20% SNAP cuts resulting from th...

Welcome to another episode of Under the Dome, where we provide crucial updates from Empower Missouri, focusing on our efforts to tackle poverty through evidence-based public policy. In this episode, co-hosts Sarah Owsley and Mallory Rush dive into the final week of Missouri's legislative session, where chaos and contentious decisions ruled the day.

They discuss the impact of the Senate's final actions, including controversial moves...

Join us in an insightful discussion with Mandy Hagseth from the Missouri Family Health Council as we explore the intricacies of reproductive and sexual health advocacy. In this special episode, Mandy shares the vital role the Council plays in championing access to essential health services in Missouri, with a focus on program delivery and policy advocacy.

Discover the challenges and opportunities related to the Title X program, a f...

Welcome to an insightful episode of Under the Dome by Empower Missouri, where we delve into the latest from Jefferson City's legislative sessions, particularly focusing on anti-poverty advocacy. Our team, with over a century of dedication, continues to champion evidence-based policies that combat poverty through affordable housing, criminal justice reforms, and food security, aside from supporting healthcare, wages, and more.

Join ...

Welcome to another episode of "Under the Dome," hosted by Sarah Owsley, Advocacy Director at Empower Missouri. In today's update, Sarah, alongside Misha Smith, Christine Woody, and Lucas Caldwell-McMillan, provides insights into Missouri's legislative activities, particularly focusing on anti-poverty initiatives. The team discusses recent developments such as the progress and challenges of House Bill 595, analyzing its implications...

Welcome to another episode of Under the Dome, where Empower Missouri brings you the latest updates from Jefferson City. Our focus remains steadfast on advancing evidence-based public policy to combat poverty, drawing insights from over a century of advocacy.  Join Sarah Owsley, Advocacy Director, and her expert panel, including Misha Smith, Lucas Caldwell-McMillan, and Mallory Rush, as they dissect current legislative issues marked...

Welcome to the latest episode of Under the Dome by Empower Missouri, where we dive into the critical issue of tenant organizing and its impact on affordable housing. Join Lucas Caldwell-McMillan, Chief of Policy Staff, and Vee Sanchez, Affordable Housing Policy Manager as they lead a discussion with some of our tenants leaders. Listen in as they share valuable experiences, transformative stories, and the challenges faced in advocat...

Welcome to the latest episode of "Under the Dome," where we update you on the pivotal happenings in Jefferson City, with a spotlight on efforts to combat poverty. In this episode, we celebrate the perfection of House Bill 953, the "Clean Slate" bill, marking a significant step towards better criminal justice policies. While it awaits further proceedings in the Senate, our optimism and resolve remain strong. We discuss the progress ...