Blog | Show-Me Institute | Where Liberty Comes First

23 Feb

Show-Me Energy: Decommissioning Power Plants Part 1

Posted by Avery Frank Economy, Energy

As the legislative session hums along, one bill worth paying attention to is Senate Bill (SB) 757, which would bring […]

22 Feb

A New Ballpark Could Cost KC Taxpayers Billions with Patrick Tuohey

Posted by Susan Pendergrass Budget and Spending, Business Climate, Corporate Welfare, Economy, Municipal Policy, Privatization, Property Rights, Regulation, Special Taxing Districts, State and Local Government, Subsidies, Tax Credits, Taxes, Transparency

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Patrick Tuohey about the stadium funding debate in Kansas City. The Royals want a sales tax […]

22 Feb

John Sherman’s Proposed Entertainment District Is Bad for Everyone Else

Posted by Patrick Tuohey Corporate Welfare, Subsidies

John Sherman, the owner of the Kansas City Royals, said in an announcement the other day: I believe in my […]

21 Feb

Beware the Medicaid Hole

Posted by Elias Tsapelas Health Care, Medicaid

All signs are pointing toward Medicaid blowing an enormous hole in Missouri’s next budget unless state lawmakers take action now […]

19 Feb

Missouri Needs Better Stewards

Posted by Elias Tsapelas Budget and Spending, State and Local Government

Is Missouri’s budget trajectory unsustainable? Yes, but given the discussions in Jefferson City over the past few weeks, you’d think […]

16 Feb

The Connection Between Farmland Assessment and Teacher Pay Increases

Posted by David Stokes Education, Education Finance

How does Missouri farmland being underassessed (for tax purposes) relate to proposed state requirements for higher minimum teacher salaries being […]

15 Feb

Let’s Be Honest about the New Stadium Tax in Jackson County

Posted by Patrick Tuohey Economy, Taxes

On April 2, 2024, Jackson County voters will be asked to approve a new 3/8 percent sales tax to support […]

14 Feb

State of the State: Leading with Intentionality for School Choice

Posted by Avery Frank Education, School Choice

In his final State of the State Address, Governor Parson highlighted a key part of government policy. He said: A […]

13 Feb

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad, Teacher Pay Plan

Posted by Elias Tsapelas Education, Education Finance

Raising teacher pay is once again a hot topic in Jefferson City, and once again the ideas being floated to […]

07 Feb

The National Hybrid Schools Project with Eric Wearne

Posted by Susan Pendergrass Accountability, Education, Education Finance, Performance, School Choice

Susan Pendergrass speaks to Eric Wearne about The National Hybrid Schools Project. The National Hybrid Schools Project is the national […]

01 Feb

State of the State, Source of Income, and Triumphant Returns

Posted by David Stokes Budget and Spending, Business Climate, Economy, Labor, Municipal Policy, Property Rights, Regulation, State and Local Government, Taxes, Transparency, Welfare

David Stokes, Elias Tsapelas, and Patrick Tuohey join Zach Lawhorn to discuss: – Key takeaways from Governor Parson’s State of […]

31 Jan

911 Systems Are a Great Opportunity for Local Government Cooperation

Posted by David Stokes Budget and Spending, State and Local Government

Versions of the following commentary appeared in the Southeast Missourian, the Columbia Missourian, and the Springfield News-Leader. There is probably no better opportunity for counties […]

29 Jan

No, Missouri Is Not Running a Budget Surplus

Posted by Patrick Tuohey Budget and Spending, State and Local Government

Governor Parson, in his final State of the State address, said, “Actually, with the budget we outline today . . […]

26 Jan

Yes, Mayor Jones, the Earnings Tax Really Does Hinder Economic Growth

Posted by David Stokes Economy, Taxes

The St. Louis Business Journal had an excellent article last week on the present state of the St. Louis City […]

25 Jan

Another Opportunity to Learn

Posted by Elias Tsapelas Corporate Welfare, Tax Credits

Trying to lure Hollywood productions to Missouri with tax incentives was always a fool’s errand, but a new report from […]

24 Jan

Who Will Be Getting Charged for New EV Chargers in STL?

Posted by Avery Frank Economy, Energy, Subsidies

Last week, I submitted testimony on House Bill (HB) 1511, which would protect St. Louis–area business owners from being forced […]

23 Jan

“Did You Get My Cheez Wiz, Boy?”

Posted by David Stokes Municipal Policy, Regulation, State and Local Government

Early in the classic film The Blues Brothers, Elwood takes his recently paroled brother, Jake, back to his Chicago apartment. […]

23 Jan

Education Spending: Where Does the Money Go?

Posted by James V. Shuls Education, Education Finance

As the 2024 legislative session gets underway, we will undoubtedly hear more about teacher pay in Missouri. A key question […]

22 Jan

Free Bus Fare, Still a Bad Idea

Posted by Patrick Tuohey State and Local Government, Transportation

Almost exactly four years ago, I wrote in this space that the move in Kansas City to reduce bus fare […]

19 Jan

Land Banks: A Bad Idea Back for the 2024 Session

Posted by David Stokes Economy, Municipal Policy, Privatization, State and Local Government, Transparency

The state legislature in Missouri is again considering legislation to dramatically expand the authority to institute land banks to municipalities […]