James V. Shuls speaks with Crosby Kemper III, former director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, former executive director of the Kansas City Public Library, and co-founder and former chairman of the Show-Me Institute, about the role of American institutions in shaping culture. They explore the impact of libraries, museums, and other cultural pillars on society, the ways in which these institutions influence public discourse and community engagement, the challenges they face in an evolving cultural landscape, and more.

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Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

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On April 23, 2024, at the Kansas City Public Library Central Branch, Jim Geraghty, Fellow at National Review Institute and National Review’s senior political correspondent, discussed his two reporting trips to Ukraine. Geraghty delved into the broader implications of the conflict and its significance for the United States.

Geraghty writes the National Review’s widely read daily “Morning Jolt” newsletter and appears on the magazine’s weekly “The Editors” podcast. He also co-hosts two podcasts and has authored eight books, including “Heavy Lifting” with Cam Edwards and “Voting to Kill.”

Listen to the event as a podcast here.

This event was co-sponsored by Show-Me Institute, National Review Institute, the Kansas City Public Library, and Show-Me Opportunity.

The post Watch: The State of the Conflict in Ukraine with Jim Geraghty appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

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Watch a video recording of the event here.

Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

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A new government accounting standard known as GASB 77 theoretically requires public districts to disclose how much revenue they have foregone because of tax abatements. While GASB 77 provides a starting point, in the first year of reporting under this rule lost revenue was greatly understated—mostly because of carve-outs from the reporting requirements and misunderstanding of how to implement the rule.

Nonetheless, the numbers reported by the governments themselves show that the affected districts lose out on tens of millions of dollars every year. Instead of funding education, libraries, and other services, this money ends up in the bank accounts of private developers who in most cases don’t need subsidies to finance their projects.

About half of all public school budgets comes from local property taxes—so it matters that Missouri’s school districts lost out on nearly $100 million in fiscal year 2017 alone. St. Louis Public Schools missed out on at least $10.5 million, or nearly 3 percent of its annual operating budget, while Kansas City Public Schools lost out on at least $24 million, or nearly 10 percent of its annual budget.

The effect incentives have on other smaller districts, like Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District (1,858 students in 2018), can be even more significant than the larger ones. The amount forgone in fiscal year 2017 was $7.8 million. But with only about 4,500 students in the district, that’s equal to $4,172 per student.

Libraries also took a hit. According to the reports we examined, the 20 largest library districts across the state lost out on at least $6.8 million. A significant chunk of that foregone revenue came from the St. Louis Public Library, which missed out on $1.1 million (nearly 4 percent of its annual operating budget) and the Kansas City Public Library, which missed out on $2.5 million.

These numbers give taxpayers an idea of the cost when policymakers decide to put developers’ interests ahead of basic government services. But even the statistics above fail to capture a significant amount of the total revenue lost. GASB 77 is a step in the right direction, but more transparency is needed.

During a time of teacher protests and tax hikes, these figures give taxpayers an idea of how much money has been diverted from schools and other public services. The next time local officials stump for more revenue, ask them this: What did you do with the taxes we already sent you? Unfortunately, many have been giving them away through tax incentives.

The post Tallying the Costs of Development Subsidies appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

In the chart below, the blue line shows the total assessed value of real property in Kansas City, Missouri. The red line shows the percentage of that property value that is taxed. Clearly, the two measures are heading in different directions; as more and more real estate is developed in the city, a lower and lower percentage of property value is taxed.

The excessive use of tax incentives appears to be leading to a decoupling of assessed value (AV) and taxable value (TV). That is, as the city experiences more and more growth, its tax base stagnates. Normally, TV would rise (or fall) at the same rate as AV.

The gap between the two has been steadily widening since the mid-2000s. In 2000, AV was 49% greater than TV, but in 2015, it was 59% greater. And that 10% isn’t chump change. If TV tracked AV at a constant rate, in 2015 there would have been an additional $200 million on the tax rolls. That means the city, school district (KCPS), library (KCPLS) and other jurisdictions are missing out on tens of millions of dollars each year. In 2015 alone, the city, KCPS, and KCPL together lost out on nearly $36 million in revenue. Instead of funding education and essential services, those dollars went to wealthy developers—developers with no real need for public financial assistance.

So, despite the claims of developers and officials, the use of incentives in Kansas City is contributing to a hollowing out of its tax-base. Even though there are more and more shiny new buildings, the city is collecting taxes on an ever-shrinking percentage of them to support essential government functions.

The post Getting Less out of More: Kansas City’s Declining Tax Base appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

The library put Sanders's talk on YouTube. Sanders's talk starts at about 19:10 and runs for about 30 minutes, not including questions and answers. Please consider taking the time to watch the talk. Sanders presents valuable and substantive information and does so entertainingly.

The post The Video Kansas City Doesn’t Want You to See appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

The folks of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City have included our essay in their new book, Picture of Health: 2015 State of Black Kansas City. They are having a book release party at the Kansas City Public Library-Downtown Central on February 12 at 5:30 p.m. The event promises guest speakers and authors discussing topics such as racial equality. If you’re in the area, consider going. If not, I encourage you to get a copy of the book.

The post Show-Me Study Featured in New Book appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

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We at the Show-Me Institute have written about the new terminal plan many times. We have expressed skepticism at the lack of alternatives to the expensive new terminal plan. Our research has pointed out the danger of the airport assuming so much debt. We also have cast doubts on the Aviation Department’s alternative repair cost estimates.

Now that the law states that the public must approve any new terminal plan, it is more important than ever for residents to be informed regarding the costs and benefits of the new terminal plan.

With that goal in mind, the Show-Me Institute hosts a meeting about the future of Kansas City International Airport from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 26 at the Kansas City Public Library (Central location: 14 W. 10th Street in Kansas City). Show-Me Institute Western Missouri Field Manager Patrick Tuohey and I will present our research about the proposed new terminal plan and answer the public’s questions. This is a free event so sign up today to attend and receive valuable information about the airport plan that does not come straight from the Aviation Department.

The post Next Wednesday: A Public Discussion About Kansas City International Airport appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

According to its release:

The Review looked at 1,130 institutions that prepare 99 percent of the nation’s traditionally trained teachers.

Overwhelmingly, it found that U.S. colleges and universities are turning out first-year teachers with inadequate knowledge and classroom management skills. On a four-star scale, less than 10 percent of rated programs earned three stars or more.

University of Missouri administrators may have expected they would perform poorly, as they actually denied researchers access to teacher syllabi, claiming they were intellectual property and protected under federal copyright law. A judge has ruled in favor of the school’s refusal. That’s right, the university system did not want to share even an outline of what it teaches its students, the same outlines that are distributed to students at the beginning of the course.

That is too bad, but their resistance won’t last long. NCTQ will be conducting a study of education schools each year and publishing the results in partnership with U.S. News & World Report, which has become the standard-bearer for university ratings. Missouri will eventually have to share with everyone exactly what it teaches its would-be teachers. We can’t move forward without knowing where we are right now; universities should support this. Moreover, students should have access to this information when deciding which college they would like to attend.

The post Who Teaches The Teachers? appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

As the policy analyst leading the Show-Me Institute’s research of the Aerotropolis proposal, I would like to respond to Hartmann’s allegations.

I have never worked on a Republican campaign, in any way, for pay or otherwise. Nor have I worked on a Democratic campaign, in any way, for pay or otherwise. But, in case Hartmann is curious, I have made informational presentations to both Democrats and Republicans who are concerned about the Aerotropolis tax credits.

In fact, this issue is very bipartisan. For example, Rep. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coer, has voiced concerns about the tax credits, and said that she is working with a group of more than a dozen other democrats on ways to change the bill. On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, has written scathing missives about the tax credits.

As a staff member at the Show-Me Institute, I am thrilled that one of our founders chose to publish an op-ed calling out Republicans who say that they are for fiscal responsibility, but then work to create handouts for a small group of developers and warehouse owners in the St. Louis area. Accountability is needed in state politics, and for members of both political parties.

Hartmann searched the Show-Me Institute website for “tea party” and found three references. I am not sure, but from his writing it seems that Hartmann was looking to find a relationship between the Show-Me Institute and a political party. A search of the St. Louis Magazine website results in many more references to the tea party, but any attempt to tie that finding to a relationship between the magazine and the tea party would be similarly as absurd.

Hartmann also seemed intent on denigrating Rex Sinquefield, co-founder of the Show-Me Institute. For the record, the Show-Me Institute has hundreds of donors. We are more than a single board member or co-founder. Staff members choose what public policies to take on, and what projects to pursue. That all being said, I don’t understand how Hartmann could take offense at an active-minded citizen advocating for more effective government. What exactly is wrong with that?

Finally, I would like to extend an offer to Hartmann: I am happy to meet him at any time to provide an information briefing about the Aerotropolis legislation. The Aerotropolis tax credits — from an economics and corporate welfare perspective — are clearly problematic. Hartmann himself, in an earlier column, wrote that he too has misgivings about the Aerotropolis proposal. The only reason he supports these credits is:

Aerotropolis backers claim that the way the state program is structured, not a dime of Missouri tax credits will be given out on the come. Tax credits will only flow after the Chinese planes start landing, and the revenues (and presumably jobs) actually arrive.

This statement is demonstrably false. Under the legislation, tax credits could be awarded if no increased international trade occurs, and in fact could go toward subsidizing business as usual. Proponents have not fixed this loophole, and have not responded to this point.

Considering the facts, perhaps Hartmann might find himself agreeing with the Show-Me Institute.

The post An Open Response to St. Louis Magazine Co-Owner Ray Hartmann appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

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Lawrence W. Reed is President of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), heading up one of the oldest and most respected economics institutes in the United States. Before joining FEE, Reed served as president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy for two decades, helping it emerge as the largest, and one of the most effective and prolific, of more than 40 state-based free-market think tanks in the United States. Reed has traveled all over the world as a freelance journalist, and has shared his observations about politics and economics through thousands of newspaper, journal, and magazine articles, as well as radio commentaries, commencement addresses, speeches, and five books. His most recent book is Striking the Root: Essays on Liberty. In addition to writing a regular column for The Freeman, a journal published by FEE, Reed has served on the board of directors for the State Policy Network, as well as on the board of trustees for FEE, acting as chairman of FEE’s board of trustees from 1998 through 2000. Reed holds a B.A. in economics from Grove City College and an M.A. in history from Slippery Rock State University. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from Central Michigan University and Northwood University.

The post Lessons of the Great Depression appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

The post ‘Little Pink House’ Author Jeff Benedict Tells Story of Kelo Eminent Domain Case in Kansas City appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

The post Can We Improve Urban Schools? appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

Audio file — 1:25:50 — 78.5 MB (MP3)

The post Which Education Reforms Are Most Likely to Succeed? appeared first on Show-Me Institute.

I’ve also posted it below, for your convenience. This playlist consists of seven separate parts. After each individual part has finished playing, the playlist should automatically load the subsequent part until the sequence has finished. You may also choose to view any individual part on its own:

Part 1 (10:00) | Part 2 (10:03) | Part 3 (9:47) | Part 4 (10:01) | Part 5 (9:59) | Part 6 (10:00) | Part 7 (5:58)

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