Show-Me Institute

A new report from the Missouri State Auditor outlines familiar problems with improper payments in Missouri programs:

Another Audit, Same Problems Missouri lawmakers frequently talk about the importance of rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in state government. But identifying problems is only useful if state agencies actually fix them. A […]

Missouri is doing well on occupational licensing.

Missouri Rated Best in Nation on Occupational Licensing The Washington, D.C.–based Archbridge Institute just released its rating of occupational licensing burdens in each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., and Missouri came out looking very good. That […]

Not all heroes wear capes, but plenty of them live and vote in Cape Girardeau County.

Cape Girardeau County Has Voted No on Zoning Twice Cape Girardeau County is the only first-class, non-charter county in Missouri without countywide planning and zoning. That fact, reported recently by Rick Fahr in the Southeast Missourian, is often cast […]

THIS WEEK: Can Missouri have its own Mississippi Miracle?

Join us this Thursday for a special panel discussion with Douglas Carswell, James V. Shuls, and Cory Koedel.

Can Missouri Experience A Mississippi Miracle? - Show-Me Institute A Panel on Improving Missouri’s Schools   In 2013, Mississippi was ranked 49th in the country in fourth grade reading performance, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). […]

Surgeon General: “Loneliness is an epidemic.”

Local Woman: “Let me help fix that.”

Columbia/Boone County Health Department: “No, not like that.”

The latest from David Stokes:

Health Department should rein in its regulations and let Harrisburg woman serve breakfasts Having neighbors over for a meal shouldn’t require permission from the health department.

NEW Podcast: American Civics Education Tests Trivia, Not Understanding with Brian Kisida:

American Civics Education Tests Trivia, Not Understanding with Brian Kisida Susan Pendergrass speaks with Brian Kisida, associate professor in the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs and director of Mizzou’s Open Minds Initiative, about what’s missing from civics education […]

The Kansas City Streetcar came in 55% over budget and three years late, yet local media reported it as on time and under budget. Meanwhile, growth in public school staffing has far outpaced student enrollment growth since 2000, even as teacher pay has fallen in real terms.

Join the Show-Me Institute's Brenda Talent, Patrick Tuohey, and Cory Koedel in Kansas City on September 30 for Insider's Hour, where they'll break down the numbers behind both stories and what they mean for Missouri taxpayers.

Register here:

Streetcars, Schools, and Your Tax Dollars at Insider's Hour - Show-Me Institute Join the Show-Me Institute’s experts for an evening of lively conversation as we discuss two timely issues. The Kansas City Streetcar – The Kansas City Streetcar came in 55% over […]

New Podcast: Understanding Missouri’s Teacher Shortage with Avery Frank and James V. Shuls:

Understanding Missouri's Teacher Shortage with Avery Frank and James V. Shuls Susan Pendergrass speaks with Avery Frank, senior policy analyst at the Show-Me Institute, and James V. Shuls, senior fellow at the Show-Me Institute and head of the Education Liberty Branch […]

NEW: Missouri doesn't face a broad, statewide teacher shortage, but rather a narrow set of challenges concentrated in specific subject areas and high-need school districts.

Read the full report from Avery Frank and James V. Shuls:

Understanding Missouri's Teacher Shortage What if the widely reported teacher shortage in Missouri isn't what it seems? Get the facts on enrollment, staffing, and the specific areas where reform is needed.