Essay: Expanding Charter Schooling in Missouri
Charter school expansion is just one of several school choice initiatives lawmakers in Jefferson City have proposed this legislative session....
Policymakers Wisely Look Before They Leap
With a wave of new electric cars entering the auto market, policymakers in Missouri are faced with a decision about...
Retooling Missouri’s Economic Engines
Dave Helling at The Kansas City Star recently wrote a piece about how Kansas City and St. Louis might fare...
Personal Income in Missouri Continues to Lag
Recent economic data reinforces an old story: Missouri’s economy is not expanding fast enough to substantially raise its citizens’ income. ...
Film Tax Credits: The Campy-est Zombie Movie You Ever Did See
Are you a fan of director George Romero's Living Dead work? Then let me pitch you a movie. The scene:...
Job Growth in Missouri: Depends on Where You Live
Missouri’s nonfarm employment growth over the past year significantly lags nearly every other state. The picture is somewhat brighter for...
At Session’s Midpoint, Reforms Loom Large On Legislative Agenda
If you visit Jefferson City this week, you might notice that the Capitol's a bit quieter than usual. That calm...
Making Regulations Count
Recently, I found myself in the State Capitol building in Jefferson City, Missouri listening to a rousing debate about whether...
Reaping the Whirlwind in Columbia
The Book of Hosea cautions us, “They that sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind.” Student protests on The University...
What I Saw at the 2016 Missouri Transportation Conference
Last week, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce held its annual transportation conference in Jefferson City. Missouri state and national representatives,...
Ethics Bills Top List of Legislative Movers Early in Session
For many years now our General Assembly has failed to deal with one of the greatest threats to good governance...
State of the State Address Strikes Happy Notes, But Forgets Opportunities Lost
Last week Missouri Governor Jay Nixon delivered his eighth and final State of the State address to the Missouri legislature. You...
Increasing Teacher Pay from On High Is Simply Bad Policy
Are teachers overpaid or underpaid? It’s as old a debate in education as whether Han Solo shot first is for...
MoDOT Gets a New Director
Recently, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) named Patrick McKenna as its new director. The previous director, Dave Nichols, stepped down earlier...
Maintaining the Education Status Quo
Today it was announced that many St. Louis area school districts have agreed to accept a lower tuition rate for...
Jefftran Has Deeper Problems than Fare Revenue
Recently, Jefferson City’s City Council voted against raising fares on its public transportation system, Jefftran. The proposal would have increased...
Jefftran Has Deeper Problems than Fare Revenue
Recently, Jefferson City’s City Council voted against raising fares on its public transportation system, Jefftran. The proposal would have increased...
Highway Funding Proposals Stall in Missouri Legislature
When the legislative session began earlier this year, there was some hope that policymakers would be able to modernize the...
A Choice for Timothy
Timothy Farr wasn’t born deaf. As a baby, he contracted meningitis, and soon after he lost the ability to hear....
Paying for the Privilege . . . to Stay in Bridgeton
After staying overnight in Jefferson City last week, I awoke to find my hotel bill laying on the floor in...
