The tremendous drawbacks of the light-rail plan approved by Kansas City voters required intervention by the City Council. Now, as officials attempt to balance competing transit goals, they should consider non-rail alternatives like additional bus–rapid transit lines and allowing private contractors to bid on the right to operate bus routes.
Many of us who have elderly family members living in nursing homes feel a natural urge to protect them through government regulation. But before passing new legislation, it’s important to determine whether the proposed regulations will actually have the desired effect of protecting Missouri’s elderly citizens.
A new policy study from the Show-Me Institute considers whether light-rail transit is a worthwhile investment for Kansas City. The study, “Review of Kansas City Transit Plans,” analyzes recent proposals and, in the process, repudiates many of light rail’s presumed benefits as a transit solution. The study also makes recommendations for ways in which Kansas City can address its transit needs in a fiscally responsible manner.
After rejecting rail transit proposals at the polls six different times, Kansas City voters approved a light-rail plan in November, 2006. This plan, however, has proven infeasible, with costs at least 50 percent greater than its promoters projected. Implementing the plan would require cutting bus service by as much as 40 percent. While the City Council formally repealed the plan in November, 2007, many people in Kansas City still believe that some form of light rail or streetcars would be worthwhile. A close look at other urban areas that have built light-rail transit during the past three decades offers many lessons for Kansas City transportation policymakers, demonstrating that rail transit is more likely to worsen congestion than solve it.
On January 17 at 9:30 a.m., the Missouri Supreme Court will hear arguments in City of Arnold v. Tourkakis. This case will decide whether the Missouri Constitution still offers property owners any meaningful protection against municipalities seeking to give their homes, businesses, or houses of worship to commercial developers.
On January 17, the Missouri Supreme Court will hear arguments in City of Arnold v. Tourkakis. This case will decide whether the Missouri Constitution still offers property owners any meaningful protection against municipalities seeking to give their homes, businesses, or houses of worship to commercial developers.
Today, the Show-Me Institute released a policy study about the fiscal effects of tuition tax credits in Missouri. Tax credit programs have helped to reduce inequality of educational access in states where they have been adopted. In many cases, they have also helped save taxpayer dollars by lowering the per-student district costs of educating public school students.
Tax credit programs have helped to reduce inequality of educational access in states where they have been adopted. In many cases, they have also helped save taxpayer dollars by lowering the per-student district costs of educating public school students. After the recent loss of accreditation of the Saint Louis Public School District, and several other metro-area districts, tuition tax credit programs offer a timely and effective way to help students and parents stuck in districts that are failing, or in receivership. This study looks at recent legislative efforts to reform Missouri's public schools, and surveys the results in other states that have adopted some form of tuition tax credit. The core of the study is its economic model, which calculates the effects that various implementations of a tuition tax credit might bring. If such a program were structured carefully, it could actually save the state money — in addition to providing greater access to improved educational opportunities for low-income families.
Franklin County residents are considering adopting a charter form of government, which would give them the flexibility of increased local control. Charters in other Missouri counties have led to economic growth, population increases, and government stability. Would a charter be a positive change for the people of Franklin County?
Natural disasters and terrible weather inevitably lead to warnings about price gouging. But high prices during emergencies are simply a measurement of supply and demand. If prices aren’t allowed to rise, people who don’t really need scarce goods tend to buy more than they should, and businesses tend to produce less than they should, leading to shortages.
Every other year, Missouri reassesses all the property in the state. In larger and faster-growing counties, there are always a large number of complaints about the process. What should Missouri do, if anything, about its assessment system?
This study considers the effects of eliminating Missouri's income tax, which would alter the state's tax structure in a way that encourages a wide variety of individuals and firms to relocate here. Evidence shows that this would not be detrimental to the growth of employment and income. Moreover, it may be possible to eliminate the income tax without sacrificing current levels of state services. Other states make up for lost income tax revenue in a number of ways, such as through higher property tax or sales tax rates. This study concludes that altering or even eliminating Missouri's individual income tax could well improve the state's economic condition.
A new policy study from the Show-Me Institute asks, "Should Missouri Eliminate the Individual Income Tax?" The study compares Missouri's relatively stagnant economy with states that do not levy individual income taxes, and concludes that altering or eliminating Missouri's individual income tax could well improve the state's economic condition.
Despite a resounding defeat in circuit court, many Missouri school districts are appealing the “adequacy” school funding lawsuit that uses taxpayer dollars to sue taxpayers for $1 billion. But such a drastic increase in public school funding would come at the expense of the rest of the state budget.
Several commentators have claimed that a recent report by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute casts doubt on the effectiveness of Milwaukee’s school choice program. They apparently didn’t really read the report, which was written with a fundamentally flawed methodology — using national demographic data to make tenuous claims about Milwaukee parents.
Utah voters recently rejected a universal school choice plan because they believed the widely advertised contention that it would harm public schools. Other states’ experience with school choice demonstrates that those fears are utterly unfounded. Missourians dealing with failing public schools should find hope in the success of the nation’s enduring school choice programs.
A recent court decision denied school districts throughout Missouri from receiving $1.3 billion in additional public funding. The data shows no correlation between increased public school spending levels and increased student performance, so taxpayers should hope the decision is not appealed. Instead, Missouri needs to encourage a new educational approach — the power of choice.
Kirkwood is the only municipality within Saint Louis County that continues to operate its own municipal utilities. Would the citizens of Kirkwood benefit if Kirkwood sold its utilities to AmerenUE and Missouri-American Water Company?
