Blog | Show-Me Institute | Where Liberty Comes First

26 Apr

A Better Way to Pay?

Posted by Elias Tsapelas Economy, State and Local Government, Taxes, Transportation

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the state’s new gas tax refund program and how its first year was […]

25 Apr

Not the Time for Entertainment

Posted by Elias Tsapelas Corporate Welfare, Tax Credits

Like Nero fiddling while Rome was burning, our state lawmakers are focusing on entertainment at the most inopportune time. With […]

25 Apr

Widening I-70, Education Bills, and How Much is Your House Worth

Posted by Elias Tsapelas Accountability, Budget and Spending, Corporate Welfare, Economy, Education, Education Finance, Municipal Policy, Performance, Privatization, School Choice, Special Taxing Districts, State and Local Government, Subsidies, Tax Credits, Taxes, Transparency, Transportation

James Shuls, Elias Tsapelas, and David Stokes join Zach Lawhorn to discuss the latest on the Missouri budget process, get […]

24 Apr

Prudent Pundit Ponders Independence Power Privatization Proposal

Posted by David Stokes Economy, Privatization

The Kansas City suburb of Independence—although it is weird to call the fifth-largest city in Missouri a ”suburb”—is considering privatizing […]

21 Apr

WATCH: Jason L. Riley on the Life of Thomas Sowell

Posted by Zach Lawhorn Economy

On April 19, 2023 the Show-Me Institute hosted Jason L. Riley, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and columnist for […]

21 Apr

Optimism and Concern on the Future of Parents’ Bill of Rights Legislation

Posted by Patrick Ishmael Accountability, Education

For those unfamiliar with it, a “Parents’ Bill of Rights” is a law that helps to ensure parents have transparent […]

21 Apr

Jay Nordlinger: Live in St. Louis and Kansas City on May 9 and May 10

Posted by Posted Uncategorized

St. Louis Event Cost: Free When: Tuesday, May 9 Reception: 5:30 pm Program: 6:00 pm Where: Lindenwood University (Harmon Hall Auditorium) 209 […]

20 Apr

Banning Books? Everyone Is a Censor

Posted by James V. Shuls Education

A version of this commentary appeared in the Columbia Daily Tribune. How do you feel about book-banning? This question was recently […]

18 Apr

The Urban Doom Loop with Daniel DiSalvo

Posted by Zach Lawhorn Budget and Spending, Economy, Government Unions, Labor, Public Pensions, State and Local Government, Taxes

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Daniel DiSalvo about his new report Big City Pensions and the Urban Doom Loop. Daniel DiSalvo […]

14 Apr

How to Lose a City of St. Louis Guy in 10 Days

Posted by Avery Frank Criminal Justice, State and Local Government

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released new population estimates for cities around the country, and the City of St. Louis […]

14 Apr

Open Enrollment in St. Louis Schools: 55 Years in the Making

Posted by James V. Shuls Education, School Choice

A version of this commentary appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. When the Spainhower Commission issued its final report in 1968, […]

13 Apr

Let’s Talk About Zoning

Posted by David Stokes Economy, Regulation

Zoning reform is generating a lot of interest around the nation. I think that is great. The debate is primarily […]

10 Apr

WATCH: Developer Seeking $60 Million TIF in Osage Beach, Missouri

Posted by David Stokes Budget and Spending, Corporate Welfare, Economy, Municipal Policy, Special Taxing Districts, State and Local Government, Subsidies, Tax Credits

The Osage Beach TIF Commission will meet on April 17, 2023 regarding the Oasis at Lakeport project. More information here. […]

10 Apr

Nuclear Energy in Modern Missouri

Posted by Avery Frank Economy, Energy

Is nuclear power on the rise in Missouri? House Bill (HB) 225, which just passed through the House, would allow […]

07 Apr

Learning From Wisconsin with Will Flanders

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

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Will Flanders about what Missouri can learn from Wisconsin’s educational choice programs. Will Flanders is the […]

05 Apr

Missouri Charter Schools Top the Academic Growth Charts

Posted by Avery Frank Education, Performance

The first report from the Missouri School Improvement Program 6 (MSIP 6) was released recently, providing data on how each […]

04 Apr

Myth vs. Fact with Ben DeGrow

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

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Ben DeGrow about some common myths about school choice, the state of education reform in several […]

03 Apr

The “Bruno Principle” of School Finance—Don’t Talk About Total Expenditures

Posted by James V. Shuls Education, Education Finance

What do the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and most newspaper reporters have in common? They follow […]

03 Apr

DEI Statements, Biggest Budget Yet, and Pot Tax Vote Tuesday

Posted by David Stokes Accountability, Budget and Spending, Business Climate, Economy, Education, State and Local Government, Taxes

Patrick Ishmael, David Stokes, and Elias Tsapelas join Zach Lawhorn to discuss recent changes to language used in University of […]

31 Mar

DEI-blocking Bills and Amendments Rain Down in “Loyalty Oath” Aftermath

Posted by Patrick Ishmael State and Local Government

I’ve talked a lot in the last month about how the state shouldn’t allow institutions of higher learning to impose […]