Economic Security Issues

Congress is currently considering a federal budget plan that would significantly cut funding for health care, food assistance, and other vital programs. If enacted, these cuts would represent an unprecedented cost shift to states, at a time when Missouri’s budget outlook is Read More

Hunger Jeopardizes the Health & Well- Being of Missourians Throughout the State Food-insecure households cannot afford, or lack access to, quality nutritious foods that are essential to an active, healthy life. Food insecurity has been rising in Missouri since 2020 when Read More

SNAP Helps Missourians in Every County SNAP Boosts Local Economies Amid rising food prices, over 324,000 Missouri households (including nearly 275,000 children) rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help pay for food. Most SNAP-participating households Read More

Recent dramatic increases in housing values and property tax assessments in counties across Missouri have resulted in steep property tax increases for many homeowners, threatening housing stability for older adults, many of whom live on fixed incomes and are at risk of being Read More

We’ve heard it all before – the tired myths about the effects of the minimum wage on the economy. But not only do national studies consistently show little impact on jobs, we only have to look at previous wage increases in Missouri to see the truth. Following the last minimum Read More

Missourians harvest the food we eat, build local homes and businesses, keep our communities safe, and teach our children. They are the engines of our economy, supplying the products and services we use every day. Those same Missourians are consumers, providing customers to Read More

Later this year, Missouri voters will consider a ballot initiative that would gradually increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour and ensure that workers have access to paid sick leave. The initiative would provide a raise to nearly 1 in 4 Missouri workers. That’s over Read More

A stable caregiving workforce is critical to ensuring that children, older adults, and those with disabilities receive the high-quality care they need and deserve. Yet the care sector – which includes childcare workers, home health aides, and workers in mental health and child Read More

Missouri workers are the driving force behind our state’s economy. When workers earn a decent wage and are given the opportunity to care for their health and their families’ health without risking their jobs or paychecks, they are more focused at work on providing high quality Read More

Although employment has improved dramatically since the peak of job loss during the pandemic, Missouri’s strong unemployment rate masks considerable geographic disparities. Further, not all Missourians have recovered equally. Tying unemployment benefits to economic conditions Read More