by Eric D. Dixon
The Show-Me Institute’s study of judicial selection systems provides a valuable set of data for looking at the issue in one particular way. However, it doesn’t provide a comprehensive treatment of the subject. People seriously considering various judicial selection systems might place any number of factors higher than economic growth.
By Joseph Haslag
What is the most efficient means of getting people from the place they are to the place they want to be? Here, the term “efficient” encompasses a broad set of issues, including travel time, future flexibility, resources used, and external costs to society. One answer to this fundamental question, at least in part, is on the Nov. 4 ballot in Saint Louis County, and is referred to as Proposition M. Specifically, voters will choose whether to add a half-cent sales tax to fund MetroLink expansion and operations.
By Keith Womer
Next week, the citizens of Saint Louis County have the opportunity to invest in the future. Passage of Proposition M would add a half-cent to the St Louis County sales tax supporting expansion of the MetroLink system in the county and operation of the current MetroLink and bus system in both the city and county. With the passage of Proposition M, by reallocating existing sales tax revenue, the county’s plan is to increase funding for county highways as well. This measure would help build the kind of infrastructure that will move our region toward economic growth and prosperity, rather than allowing our transportation system to deteriorate.
by Wendell Cox
Voters in Saint Louis County are being asked to approve yet another sales tax to fund transit on the November ballot. However, Metro’s string of broken promises and its profligate spending suggest that the revenue from this tax increase would not be wisely spent.
The broken promises go back to even before construction of the first MetroLink line. In 1988, officials told the public that no tax increase would be necessary to operate light rail, but by 1994, the Bi-State Development Agency (Metro’s former name) threatened to close it down unless a new tax was provided.
From the paper’s abstract:
In this paper we estimate the impact of press coverage on citizen knowledge, politicians’ actions, and
policy. We find that a poor fit between newspaper markets and political districts reduces press coverage of politics. We use variation in this fit due to redistricting to identify the effects of reduced coverage.
Exploring the links in the causal chain of media effects — voter information, politicians’ actions and
policy — we find statistically significant and substantively important effects. Voters living in areas
with less coverage of their U.S. House representative are less likely to recall their representative’s
name, and less able to describe and rate them. Congressmen who are less covered by the local press
work less for their constituencies: they are less likely to stand witness before congressional hearings,
to serve on constituency-oriented committees (perhaps), and to vote against the party line. Finally,
this congressional behavior affects policy. Federal spending is lower in areas where there is less press
coverage of the local members of congress.
By Jacob Voss
To date, 26 states have adopted renewable energy standard (RES) laws, which require energy utilities to derive a specified percentage of electricity from renewable energy, by a particular date. These standards range from 8 percent in Pennsylvania by 2020 to 40 percent in Maine by 2017. In November, voters will decide on a measure that would place similar obligations on Missouri’s three investor-owned utilities. The “Missouri Clean Energy Initiative” requires AmerenUE, Kansas City Power & Light, and Empire District Electric to produce 15 percent of their electricity through renewable sources by 2021.
By Calvin Harris II
This November, Saint Louis County constituents will vote on a new annual tax of one-quarter of a cent (1 cent on every $4.00) to fund programs supporting the mental health and well-being of area youth. The estimated $40 million that would be collected after the passing of Proposition 1 would create a steady stream of funding for emergency shelters, transitional living programs for older youth, outpatient substance abuse treatment, and services to teen mothers. A Saint Louis County needs assessment concluded that the availability and funding of children’s programs should be increased, and while taxation may seem like a logical means to reach this end, there are other options.
By Deann Smith and Finn Bullers
The Kansas City Star
We don’t have it as good as shoppers in Alaska. But we don’t have it as bad as those in Chicago.
The Kansas City area is in the middle of the country when it comes to sales taxes. But we will move up in the pecking order if taxes pass in Kansas City and Johnson County next month.
If either tax passes, broad sections of the metropolitan area will for the first time see sales tax rates above 8 cents on every dollar, with some shopping and entertainment meccas going higher yet.
View entire article at KansasCity.com.
By David Stokes
You may have heard there will be an election this November. Alongside trivial votes, such as who to choose for president, residents of Greene County will decide whether to adopt Missouri’s non-partisan court plan for their jurisdiction. Under the proposed change, Greene County judges would be selected by Missouri’s governor from a panel of three chosen by a judicial commission, rather than by popular election. The new commission would consist of the county’s chief judge, two citizens selected by the governor, and two lawyers elected by the county bar association.
By David Stokes
On November 4, voters in Jefferson County will decide whether they would like their jurisdiction to become a charter county via adoption of a home rule charter. This would give the people of Jeff Co much more say in how their county operates its own government. Currently, there are just three charter counties in Missouri — Saint Louis, Saint Charles, and Jackson. The independent city of Saint Louis effectively operates that way, too. During the past year, a dedicated group of Jeff Co residents has been working out a charter for the citizens to consider in the coming election. If it is approved, Jeff Co will become a charter county and this document will become the county’s constitution. If it is rejected, Jeff Co will continue as a first-class county governed by the Missouri statutes that dictate how such a county should operated.