On Jan. 20, 2006, the Show-Me Institute sponsored a luncheon featuring this presentation of "Seven Principles of Sound Public Policy." In this talk, Lawrence Reed, then the president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy and currently the president of the Foundation for Economic Education, explains a set of principles that aid in the evaluation of public policy. He includes a number of historical examples to bring life and focus to his discussion. Show-Me Institute President Rex Sinquefield introduced Reed.
Crosby Kemper III, chairman of the Show-Me Institute, announced today that Brenda Talent has been selected as the institute’s executive director. Talent was selected after a lengthy and comprehensive search to find the best and most qualified candidate to help lead the institute in its efforts to promote public policies that are driven by free-market principles and a desire to advance liberty.
On Jan. 20, 2006, the Show-Me Institute sponsored this presentation by Lawrence Reed, then the president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, presently the president of the Foundation for Economic Education. Reed explains the many flaws with the prevailing theory that Standard Oil was a monopoly or that the company's founder and president, John Rockefeller, was exploitative — or, indeed, anything other than a shrewd and successful businessman serving his customers well. Ethelmae Humphreys, at the time a member of the Show-Me Institute board of directors, introduced the speech.
On July 30, 2010, the Show-Me Institute joined many other think tanks around the nation by hosting an event in celebration of the life and legacy of the influential economist Milton Friedman.
At this event, Dr. Michael Podgursky spoke of the benefits of school choice, Dr. Susan Feigenbaum spoke of the negative impacts of discrimination in a free market, and Dr. Daniel Thornton spoke of the dangers of irresponsible monetary policy. Dr. Joseph Haslag moderated Dr. Bonnie Wilson introduced the event.
Show-Me Institute staff and interns illustrate a functioning market by scalping St. Louis Cardinals tickets at Busch stadium. Free-market lessons are interspersed throughout the video as the teams show how market transactions can make both parties better off.
July 31, 2010, would have been Milton Friedman's 98th birthday. To honor his vision and the impact he has had on our society, The Foundation for Educational Choice collaborated with policy groups from around the world to hold events in Professor Friedman's honor on Friday, July 30. The Show-Me Institute was among the groups participating.
A new study examining superintendent compensation in Missouri finds that salary figures leave out significant forms of benefits, such as insurance, car allowances, and annuities. Compensation is also not correlated with performance metrics or to academic gains by district students. Greater transparency and accountability may lead to better results.
Superintendents hold a particularly important position in school districts, in charge of both fiscal and organizational management. In 2009, Missouri’s public school superintendents earned an average of $105,717, an amount that increased even during a recession, to $106,368 in 2010. These figures represent salary alone, but benefits such as health insurance, annuities, and automobile allowances can substantially increase total compensation. Once these other benefits are taken into account, a superintendent’s non-salary compensation can equal 50 percent of his or her actual salary. This study uses contracts and salary data to determine what connection there is, if any, between superintendent pay and student achievement, which factors determine compensation, and how Missourians can take action if they are unhappy with compensation practices.
A lawsuit filed by Missouri’s lieutenant governor against the recently passed federal health care reform may not proceed as intended. A court may agree to hear some of the counts asserted in this suit, but it seems likely that the court will ultimately dismiss at least half of the claims (and probably three quarters of them) as lacking either standing or ripeness.
In difficult economic times, it’s more important than ever to scale back tax credit programs that single out companies or industries for favored treatment. Legislators don’t have a special ability to predict which company or industry will maximize revenue or economic growth, so the cost of such credits to taxpayers will almost certainly exceed the benefits.
David Stokes, a policy analyst with the Show-Me Institute, testifies before the Saint Louis County Council Committee of the Whole in opposition to new licensing requirements for HVAC contractors and workers in Saint Louis County. Stokes discusses how licensing rules like those proposed in this code amendment are used to limit competition and increase costs for consumers.
On June 7, 2010, staff members from the Show-Me Institute presented their thoughts on the best and worst bills of the 2010 Missouri Legislative session. This presentation is another in the Show-Me Institute's series of Show-Me Forum discussions presented on the first Monday of every other month.
In late December 2009, pressed to award nearly $20 million in tax credits to a single development company, the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) managed to review the company’s formal application within the month, awarding the company, NorthSide Regeneration LLC, $19.6 million just a day before the end of the year. In its rush, it seems that the department failed to catch more than 100 discrepancies nestled within the tax credit application, which appear to have cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Measures to impose severe licensing restrictions on HVAC work in Saint Louis–area homes would limit competition and drive up prices, benefiting current HVAC workers at the expense of future competitors and the public. The new regulations would do nothing to improve safety. Rather, they are a transparent attempt at what economists call “rent seeking.”
Payday loans are far from a perfect source of credit, and the desire to protect people from the high interest rates that typically accompany such loans is well-intentioned. However, studies show that banning or imposing caps on high interest rates leads former payday loan borrowers to rely on even more damaging options, like utility shutdowns and overdrafts.
In this video, policy analyst David Stokes, accompanied by two research assistants, endeavors to get to the heart of the payday loan debate by ... actually getting a payday loan. Filmed on location at Saint Louis–area payday loan stores and casino on April 1, 2010.
Two Show-Me Institute policy analysts, a research assistant, and two interns all head out for shoe shines in order to demonstrate the mutual benefits of trade in a market economy. Filmed in December 2008.
Saint Louis city Alderman Antonio French, who represents the 21st ward, and Missouri Sen. Jim Lembke, who represents part of south Saint Louis city and south Saint Louis County, answered questions from moderator Martha King, Show-Me Institute intern, and attendees. This event took place at the Show-Me Institute office in Saint Louis on June 9, 2010.
Well-intentioned supporters of the new autism mandate hope to help Missouri families with autistic children. Health care mandates also carry unintended consequences, raising the cost of insurance premiums for other Missourians. Small businesses are particularly cost-sensitive, and some marginal number of them may end up being forced to cut coverage or reduce hiring.
