Articles

An archive of our articles, commentary, and analysis on Missouri politics and legislation.

• Missouri’s Data Center Deals: Big Promises, Bigger Bills
  Missouri’s data-center incentive stack—state sales-tax exemptions, Chapter 100 abatements, and discounted utility rates—promises jobs and investment but largely privatizes gains while socializing costs. This article shows how ratemaking tools push grid-upgrade expenses onto ratepayers and how abatements hollow out school and local-service funding. It closes with the St. Charles win as a model for communities demanding transparent, balanced development.
• Selling Us a Lemon: IP Reform (HJR 3) Rolls Out of Committee
  The Missouri House Elections Committee advanced House Joint Resolution 3 (HJR 3) with a committee substitute, which maintains core provisions like banning certain foreign contributions in ballot measures and requiring congressional district approval, but delays public hearings until after signatures are submitted, rendering them ineffective. Critics, including grassroots leader Ron Calzone, argue that the bill undermines citizens' initiative petition rights by imposing higher hurdles on the public while preserving easier processes for legislators, ultimately shifting power to government insiders rather than providing genuine reform.

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Article Archive

Links to past articles and posts from our original site.

• Example Article: Why We Need Change in Jefferson City
  A short 1-2 sentence description of the article can go here.
• Another Article: Understanding Property Taxes
  This article breaks down the recent changes to property tax law.