Was Missouri Always Like This?
The year 1997 marks a grim turning point for Missouri. In the 10 years before 1997, Missouri’s economic growth had kept pace with that of the nation as a whole. Since 1997, Missouri has been one of the slowest-growing states in the nation. What happened–and why? This essay explores those questions, analyzing the decline in Missouri’s fortunes by looking specifically at taxation and state spending for clues. To read the essay, click on the link below.