Join us for the Next Generation Connection Hour on August 18! Show-Me Institute experts will discuss two critical issues shaping Missouri’s economic future: Missouri’s increasing budget and the growing debate over data center development across the state.

Missouri’s Budget and Tax Outlook – Missouri’s budget grew rapidly in recent years, nearly doubling in size. As the era of easy money that fueled that growth comes to an end, and following the defeat of Amendment 5, Show-Me Institute’s CEO Brenda Talent and Director of State Budget and Fiscal Policy Elias Tsapelas will discuss why reducing spending is a critical step toward building a more competitive tax system and a brighter fiscal future for the state.

Data Centers – Data center proposals are emerging across Missouri. Local governments are weighing potential benefits such as investment, jobs, and tax-base growth against concerns about electricity demand, water usage, noise, and land use. Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes and Senior Policy Analyst Avery Frank will discuss how municipalities can evaluate these projects.

RSVP Here or email events@showmeopportunity.org

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

4:45 – 5:15 p.m. Networking Reception

5:15 – 6:00 p.m. Discussion and Q&A

Cafe Napoli

7754 Forsyth Boulevard

Clayton, MO 63105

RSVP Here or email events@showmeopportunity.org

This complimentary event is open to anyone interested in the policies and local decisions that could shape Missouri’s economic future. Please feel free to share this invitation with friends and colleagues.

We hope you will join us!

The post Next Gen Connection Hour with the Show-Me Institute appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

Join us for a timely conversation on the outcome of Missouri’s August 4 vote on Amendment 5 and the growing debate over data center development across the state.

Director of State Budget and Fiscal Policy Elias Tsapelas, Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes, and Senior Policy Analyst Avery Frank will join CEO Brenda Talent for a free-market policy discussion about two issues that could shape Missouri’s economic future:

Amendment 5 – Amendment 5, on the August 4 ballot, asked voters whether Missouri should require lawmakers to phase out the individual income tax based on revenue growth while empowering lawmakers to modernize the sales tax during the process. Based on the election outcome, what should Missouri lawmakers do next? Elias Tsapelas and Brenda Talent will present important considerations and opportunities.

Data Centers – Data center proposals are emerging across Missouri. Local governments are weighing the potential benefits such as investment, jobs, and tax base growth against concerns about electricity demand, water usage, noise, and land use. David Stokes and Avery Frank will discuss how municipalities can evaluate these projects.

REGISTER NOW!

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Country Club of Missouri

1300 Woodrail Avenue

Columbia, MO 65203

Doors open: 11:30 a.m.

Discussion and Q&A: 12-1:00 p.m.

Ticket Price: $20.00

(includes lunch and beverages)

REGISTER HERE

The post Insider’s Hour with the Show-Me Institute in Columbia appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

CEO Brenda Talent will be joined by Director of State Budget and Fiscal Policy Elias Tsapelas, Director of Municipal Policy David Stokes, and Senior Policy Analyst Avery Frank for an examination of the issues and policies that could impact Missouri’s future:

• Missouri’s Budget Problems – Elias Tsapelas will explain how Missouri’s recently signed budget and its hundreds of millions in spending restrictions reveal years of spending growth outpacing revenue, turning temporary federal relief into permanent obligations, and what it will take to restore accountability to the budget process.
• Public School Personnel Boom – Avery Frank will present research he conducted with Director of Education Cory Koedel and published in a recent paper, which examines how increased staffing and lower student enrollment is creating funding shortfalls that require difficult tradeoffs.
• Data Centers – David Stokes and Avery Frank will discuss how municipalities can evaluate these projects, comparing potential benefits such as investment, jobs, and tax-base growth against concerns about electricity demand, water usage, noise, and land use.

Join us for lunch and learn about the policies that could influence Missouri’s next chapter. You won’t want to miss it.

REGISTER HERE

Thursday, August 27, 2026

MAC West

1777 Des Peres Road

St. Louis, MO 63131

Doors open: 11:30 a.m.

Discussion and Q&A: 12-1:00 p.m.

Ticket Price: $20.00

(includes lunch and beverages)

REGISTER HERE

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