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Politics

At Long Last: The Payne-Stokes Debate Is Online

[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] On Sept. 30 of this year, at Dressel’s Pub in the Central West End, a small crowd gathered to watch David Stokes and John Payne debate the topic “Are Libertarians and Conservatives Natural Allies?” Now this wonderful debate and its ensuing audience Q&A are … Continue reading »

Categories: Individual Liberty, Politics, Show-Me Institute | Leave a comment

Honey, I Shrunk the Legislature

[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] A very encouraging post on the Freakonomics blog today mentions that the Maine state legislature recently proposed a bill that would unify the state’s Senate and House into one representative body, making Maine the second state in the union to go unicameral. Unfortunately, the … Continue reading »

Categories: Local Government, Politics | 22 Comments

Handle Stimulus Funds With Care

[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] The Columbia Missourian has an op-ed from the Show-Me Institute’s Joe Haslag and David Stokes. It addresses the question of what legislators should have done with the federal stimulus money coming to Missouri. Haslag and Stokes recommend using the funds as an opportunity to … Continue reading »

Categories: Government Spending, Politics, Show-Me Institute | Leave a comment

The Rich Get Richer Share of the Tax Burden

[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] Thanks to our former intern Calvin Harris for pointing out this great Freakonomics blog post. Excluding federal taxes, the income tax base here in Missouri is a great deal flatter, unless you happen to live in St. Louis or Kansas City. Thankfully, there are … Continue reading »

Categories: Politics, Taxes | Leave a comment

Another Productive Legislative Session

[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] Piling waste upon waste, soon that December 25 holiday already recognized by the state will have a name. According to a post on the KY3 blog, of Missouri’s 12 recognized holidays, only four are officially named by the state, and there is a proposal … Continue reading »

Categories: Politics | 1 Comment

No Taxation Without Ambulation

[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] Missouri’s budget crisis is certainly in the news, so some legislators are trying to innovate their way out. According to an article in the St. Louis Business Journal (snippet from the online version), a tax on Internet-based sales will be proposed in the Missouri … Continue reading »

Categories: Economic Freedom, Politics, Taxes | 2 Comments

Get Your Law On

[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] According to an article from the Post-Dispatch, it’s bill-writin’ season! And you know what that means: Missouri legislators are proposing legislation based on every constituent’s letter that begins, “There oughta be a law …” Here are the highlights: A ban of beer bongs, Jell-O … Continue reading »

Categories: Politics, Regulation, Taxes | 3 Comments

Shout Out to Mr. Tiebout

[This post was originally written for my employer’s blog, Show-Me Daily.] According to a Post-Dispatch article the city of Joplin will no longer allow teachers in its public schools to show any visible tattoos. Now, at first blush, this seems like an infringement on liberty, and perhaps it is. But it may also be a … Continue reading »

Categories: Local Government, Politics | 1 Comment