Show-Me Institute

Insider's Hour with the Show-Me Institute in Columbia
2026-08-20 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Country Club of Missouri, 1300 Woodrail Avenue, Columbia, Missouri, 65203
What’s Next for Missouri? Amendment 5 and the Debate Around Data Centers
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

On the Horizon: New Research from the Show-Me Institute
2026-08-27 11:30 - 13:00 | MAC West, 1777 Des Peres Rd, Des Peres, 63131, United States
Join us for a deep dive into three critical challenges facing Missouri today.
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
