State of Missouri Archives: on Welfare & Poverty


Catherine Hanaway: Limit welfare benefits when recipients have more kids

Source: Missouri Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

Eric Greitens: Current welfare system is broken; it traps people in poverty

WELFARE NEEDS REFORM. I believe welfare must be reformed so that every person has a chance to live a life of dignity, purpose, and meaning. The current system is broken, and instead of lifting people out of poverty, it too often traps them in it.
Source: 2016 Missouri Governor campaign website EricGreitens.com Oct 9, 2015

John Brunner: Make welfare temporary, not permanent

Our goal: Provide a hand up, not just a hand out. Reform welfare into a temporary not permanent solution, eliminate its expansion, tighten eligibility, and enforce welfare to work requirements.
Source: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial campaign website JohnBrunner.com May 10, 2016

Mike Parson: Ending low-income housing tax credit would hurt veterans too

Parson, who is also on the MHDC, was one of only two members to vote against zeroing out the low-income housing tax credit program, arguing that doing so will make it harder to provide housing to low-income Missourians and military veterans.
Source: Kansas City Star on 2018 Missouri Gubernatorial race May 29, 2018

Nicole Galloway: Audit and investigate SNAP transactions that raise red flags

SNAP transactions that raised red flags, but were not seriously investigated," Galloway said.

Missouri doled out more than $2.4 billion between 2015 and 2016 to hundreds of thousands of recipients. On average, a Missouri household received about $260 a month, according to the report. The audit flagged more than $16 million spent only out-of-state for 90 days or more. Benefit money can legally be spent outside Missouri, and there are many legitimate reasons to do.

Source: Columbia Daily Tribune on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race Jun 5, 2019

Crystal Quade: Not enough legislators understand the realities of poverty

I learned very quickly that not enough legislators understood the realities of poverty. With social services making up the bulk of our 27 billion dollar budget, and with laws that dictate how services are offered and if folks are able to break the cycle, we need legislators who understand the implications of policy. I ran to bring my unique perspectives to Jefferson City.
Source: 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial race press release "Enshrine" Sep 1, 2023

Karla May: St. Louis Philanthropic Organization: involved for 25 years

Aside from her legislative duties, Sen. May is president and board member of the St. Louis Philanthropic Organization. She has been involved with the organization for the past 25 years, helping award grants to agencies focused on education and programs that benefit the residents of the City of St. Louis. She is an executive board member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) St. Louis Chapter and serves as an international at-large board member.
Source: 2024 Missouri Senate campaign website senate.mo.gov Aug 8, 2024

  • The above quotations are from State of Missouri Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Welfare & Poverty.
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2024 Presidential contenders on Welfare & Poverty:
  Candidates for President & Vice-President:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA)
Chase Oliver(L-GA)
Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA)
Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)
Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH)
Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN)
Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

2024 presidential primary contenders:
Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE)
N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R)
N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R)
Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R)
S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R)
Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R)
Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Mar 14, 2026