Lee's Summit is about to embark on an economic development scheme that has no demonstrated benefit and is likely aimed at solving a problem that no longer exists.

Missouri assessment practices should contain greater consistency in land valuation.

Missouri assessment practices substantially favor agricultural property over other types of property. Missouri needs to correct some of that disparity.

The Renewable Fuel Standard is an unnecessary part of the family of ethanol subsidies and mandates that props up the industry. It, along with all ethanol subsidies, should be eliminated.

The so-called “Arch Tax” has little to do with the Gateway Arch. City and county residents should give the proposed sales tax a resounding “no” in the April 2 election.

The city of North Kansas City is considering privatizing its public hospital. The city should be allowed to sell the hospital to a non-profit or for-profit hospital company. The state should not impose newly filed regulations blocking the sale to a for-profit company.

School choice is about more than simply improving test scores; it also is about giving families opportunities to find the school that best meets their child’s needs.

Ray County is enacting a series of Enhanced Enterprise Zones within the county. There is no evidence that these zones will help the county’s economic growth.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is wrong when it says that Kansas is going to fall of a fiscal cliff with its pro-growth tax reforms, and that Missouri will do the same if it follows the same path.

Lawmakers in Missouri and other states are being offered billions of dollars of “free money” from the federal government to support a major expansion in their states’ Medicaid programs. It is an offer they can and must refuse.

Randy Georges Sr. moved to the U.S. to obtain a good education; now, he may have to move across town so his kids can have the same opportunity. This is a sad state, especially when alternatives, such as giving families private school options, exist.

The Saint Louis County Council recently passed legislation designed to limit bidders on county projects to union-only contractors. The state needs to act to correct this abuse of power.

The state’s foundation formula for K-12 education is currently underfunded. Some are calling for more spending, but freedom, not money, is the answer to our problem.

Callaway County is considering implementing an Enhanced Enterprise Zone; this would be a poor decision for the county.

With all the talk of a “fiscal cliff,” our New Year’s resolutions for 2013 go out to all Missourians who are worried about the state of our state and the state of our union.

Should Missouri and other states accept an offer of “free money” from Uncle Sam to expand the Medicaid program in their states? Instead of acting as enablers of fiscal profligacy, Missouri and other states should say “no.”

Proposition B might have brought some much-needed funding for education, but voters turned down the measure. The “no” vote may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise if legislators act on the need to address school funding issues.

Given the revenue shortfall, the state must re-examine its spending priorities, and spending money on the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority is not a high priority.

A proposal to reduce the size of the Saint Louis City Board of Aldermen from 28 aldermen and wards to 14 is a good one for several reasons.

Increasing taxes on tobacco products disproportionately harms the poor and does not guarantee improved educational outcomes for Missouri students.