Testimony

Testimony Before the City Council of Clayton, Mo.
May 13, 2009

One of the reasons that America has long been known as the “land of opportunity” is that its citizens are understood to have the freedom to make decisions for themselves. Rather than having their lives dictated to them, as is the case in so many nations across the world, Americans engage in the pursuit of happiness by cultivating an extremely broad array of tastes and interests. For many, this includes the choice to smoke.


Testimony Before Missouri Senate Transportation Committee
May 1, 2009

In order for MoDOT and other transportation agencies to have the ability to seriously consider public-private partnerships — state officials would be well advised to consider passing wide-ranging enabling legislation that would authorize agencies, particularly MoDOT, to enter into these types of projects when careful analysis has deemed them to be both viable and beneficial.


Testimony Before the Metro Board of Commissioners
September 16, 2008

Thank you for the opportunity to submit my comments about the upcoming sales tax vote in Saint Louis County, the proposed service cuts if the tax increase does not pass, and more. This testimony follows up on comments I made last month, at Metro’s invitation, at the Missouri Public Transit Association’s convention. The primary point of this testimony is not to comment on the proposed service cuts, but to suggest alternative means of financing and providing mass transit in general. These ideas will hopefully be given consideration, whether or not voters pass the sales tax increase, although they may become imperative should the measure be defeated.


General Guidelines For Charter Governments: Testimony Before the Franklin County Charter Commission
August 21, 2008

David Stokes, a Show-Me Institute policy analyst, makes recommendations for provisions that should be included in the proposed Franklin County charter.


Testimony for the Saint Louis County Capital Investment Blue Ribbon Commission
July 30, 2008

In June, Show-Me Institute policy analyst David Stokes submitted this testimony to the Saint Louis County Capital Investment Blue Ribbon Commission, about Saint Louis County's capital investment proposals. He argued that it's necessary to consider the economically harmful aspects of tax increases alongside the infrastructure needs that those increases are proposed to finance.


General Guidelines for Charter Governments: Testimony Before the Jefferson County Charter Commission
April 24, 2008

David Stokes, a Show-Me Institute policy analyst, makes recommendations for provisions that should be included in the proposed Jefferson County charter.