Dave Roland
Policy Analyst

Hi-Res Photo Dave Roland began working at the Show-Me Institute in 2007, after three years in the nation's capital as an attorney with the Institute for Justice, where he litigated school choice, economic liberty, and property rights cases in state and federal courts. Dave earned undergraduate degrees in political science and Biblical studies at Abilene (TX) Christian University before studying law and religion at Vanderbilt University, where he received his M.T.S. and his law degree in 2004. While attending Vanderbilt, Dave wrote a series of essays for the Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center about the First Amendment and public education, and he clerked for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberties in Washington, D.C. His work has been discussed in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and other major newspapers nationwide. He has also presented expert testimony about school choice, eminent domain, and constitutional liberties before several state legislatures. His report "School Choice and the North Carolina Constitution" was published in 2006. Since joining the Show-Me Institute, Dave has traveled widely in the state of Missouri, speaking to elected officials, student groups at colleges and law schools, Federalist Society chapters, and community groups about education, property rights, health care reform, constitutional protections for liberty, and the American Founders' conception of virtue. His name has become a familiar sight in newspapers all over the state, and he has been a guest on radio shows such as the Charlie Brennan Show on KMOX in St. Louis and the Gary Nolan Show in Columbia. In 2009, Dave and his wife, Jenifer (the institute's director of publications), published a case study, “All Caught Up: How Tax Policy May Have Allowed Tennessee to Outgrow Missouri.” Mail to : dave.roland@showmeinstitute.org

Articles on this Site

Health Care Policy and Constitutional Rights: The Health Care Freedom Act
Posted on February 10, 2010

Missourians Can Combat the Political Influence of Moneyed Interests
Posted on January 25, 2010

Individual Health Insurance Mandate Would Violate Constitutional Liberties
Posted on December 23, 2009

Charter Schools Still a Good Choice for Missouri
Posted on November 18, 2009

All Caught Up: How Tax Policy May Have Allowed Tennessee to Outgrow Missouri
Posted on August 6, 2009

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

How Missouri Cities Define Away Property Rights
Posted on April 24, 2009

How to Improve Education While Spending Less Money
Posted on January 21, 2009

Freedom Requires Secure Property Rights
Posted on June 26, 2008

Will the Missouri Supreme Court Leave Your Home At Risk?
Posted on January 16, 2008

School Choice Is Working, After All
Posted on November 28, 2007

Learn From Others' Experience With School Choice
Posted on November 20, 2007

Empowering Parents to Seek Out Adequate Education
Posted on October 29, 2007

Missouri Teachers Voice Support for School Choice
Posted on October 8, 2007