Economic Security Issues

In Missouri, working families with low wages generally pay a higher share of their income in state and local taxes than do the highest earners. Improving the state’s working families tax credit would make Missouri’s tax structure more fair, further incentivize work, 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

Working families with low-wages may earn too little money to owe income taxes, but they contribute significant portions of their income to state general revenue in sales and property taxes. In fact, in Missouri, the lower your earnings, the more you pay in state and local taxes Read More

Increasing housing values and associated property taxes can price older people out of the homes they have lived in for decades, separating them from their neighbors and communities. Similarly, rising costs can make accessible housing unaffordable for Missourians with Read More

While all Missourians were impacted by the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, some were hit harder than others. Although every Missourian deserves the opportunity to thrive, with quality housing they can afford, a job that lets them provide for their families, and a Read More

Introduction Working Missourians are the engines of our economy, supplying the products and services we all use in our daily lives. They harvest the food we eat, build the homes we live in, and pave the roads we drive on; they keep our communities safe, provide our families with Read More

Paid family leave benefits both workers and employers by allowing employees to address the caregiving needs of their family without losing their jobs or ability to pay their bills and by reducing employer costs associated with high turnover, low worker retention, and decreased Read More

Child care providers across Missouri have faced unprecedented financial and logistical challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading many to close temporarily or permanently. Without additional fiscal support, many Missouri children & families could be left without Read More

Access to high quality, affordable childcare not only creates a solid foundation for children to thrive but is also an essential component of developing a strong workforce. The Missouri Child Care Assistance Program offsets the costs of childcare for working families with low Read More

The American Rescue Plan (ARP), signed into law March 11th, includes $1 billion dollars in Pandemic Emergency Assistance (PEA) funds that can be used to help families with the lowest incomes address immediate hardship or cover additional expenses related to the pandemic. Over Read More