Map of Commercial Property Tax Surcharges in Missouri
I know, I know, if you are like most Missourians, you’ve been talking about the commercial property surtax (or surcharge)...
Where Is Robertson Fire District, and Why Do They Take So Much of Hazelwood’s Tax Money?
Over the past two decades, a smoldering fire has been slowly burning in North St. Louis County. No, I’m not...
“Stop,” or I’ll Yell “Stop” Again
A version of this commentary appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. When elected officials intentionally ignore the law, we often...
August Ballot Issue Rundown
Next week is primary election day in Missouri. You may have seen some ads for candidates on television, radio, or...
Hazelwood, Bankruptcy, and Special Laws
The City of Hazelwood has announced that it is cutting back on the services it provides its residents. In related...
Corruption Allegations: Disappointing but Hardly Surprising
A version of this commentary appeared in the St. Louis Business Journal. In 1977, the Chicago Sun Times newspaper bought...
Should Building Codes Be Unified in St. Louis County?
A group of home construction, realtor, and trade groups has launched an effort to consolidate the various building codes within...
Municipal Contracting Is What Missouri Needs More Of
Greendale, Missouri (population: small) is a St. Louis suburb. Like many cities within St. Louis County, it is very small....
EV Charging Stations Don’t Need Mandates to Succeed
Elected officials who want to put more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road face a Catch-22. Drivers won’t buy more...
Event: Election Security Panel with Kinder Institute (Columbia)
You are invited to join the Show-Me Institute and the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy for an expert panel discussion...
How Do We Improve Municipal Elections in Missouri?
There is a proposal in St. Louis County to make the county-level offices (and campaigns) nonpartisan. The sponsor argues that...
St Louis County Council Mandates Businesses Install EV Charging Stations
The Saint Louis County Council recently passed a law that would require businesses and landowners in unincorporated Saint Louis County...
A Property Tax Increase for Ladue?
The City of Ladue is asking voters to approve a property tax increase on November 2. It costs money to...
St. Louis County Needs Federal Dollars to Stay Afloat
A recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that St. Louis County Executive Sam Page is asking the St....
Property Tax Proposals in Missouri
Senator Mike Cierpiot is suggesting some changes to Missouri reassessment procedures as the state undergoes the biennial reassessment process. The...
Ferguson, Missouri Will Not Be Improved by More Special Taxing Districts
Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis County which you may have heard of, is launching a new community improvement district...
What Comes After Farce?
The quest for a new St. Louis County Auditor has entered a phase that is hard to name. For a...
“It’s A Mess” Up There in Hazelwood
The saga of the Hazelwood Mills Mall, also known as the St. Louis Mills Mall, is ongoing. The large tax-increment...
HB 349 Creates Opportunity (For Some)
Some Missouri children will finally be able to sign up for tax credit–funded scholarships. But why not all? Much has...
A Property Tax Tale of Two Cities
A version of this commentary appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It costs money to run cities, and that money comes...
