Missouri lawmakers have a big challenge in front of them to close a half-billion dollar budget deficit. But that did not stop them from wasting $ 7  million or more on Tuesday’s presidential primary election.

Officials for the city of Arnold, Mo., are considering privatizing the city’s sewer system. There are several reasons this is a good idea.

The Missouri Legislature needs to act now and allow students in the unaccredited Saint Louis and Kansas City public school districts to attend alternative schools that have a proven track record of providing a good education.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon mentioned the word jobs no fewer than 39 times in his State of the State address. He (and the current occupant of the White House) should take a less-is-more cue from a former U.S. president in thinking and talking about job creation.

MoDOT is considering charging a toll on I-70 in Missouri. This move is a positive change for Missourians, and good economic policy for our state.

Recognizing that the state of Missouri is in a budgetary hole, the Show-Me Institute has prepared a list of five New Year’s resolutions for lawmakers, educators and other public servants.

There is a new obsession in American political life — a rising concern over the issue of “fairness.” But how fair is “fair”?

The Missouri Supreme Court has recently engaged in substantial judicial activism in its effort to circumvent the legislature and solidify collective bargaining rights for public school teachers.

A high-speed rail line across Missouri would be an enormous waste of tax dollars. Supporters of high-speed rail are using absurd claims of job creation and other misleading statements to argue for the project.

The China hub had a big credibility problem. No one — even the supporters — seemed to believe the extravagant promises made on its behalf.

Jennings has led the way in Saint Louis County in making changes to its government that reflect a more regional approach to public services.

Three suggestions are offered for changes to local government in Kansas City that could improve public policy in the area.

Educators in Missouri often under-appreciate the fundamental importance of capitalism, entrepreneurism, and free markets to social cooperation, order, and the pursuit of happiness.

A proposed downtown trolley in Kansas City is neither a new idea nor the best use of taxpayer money. The money spent on these types of projects would be better spent on matters of higher priority.

There is no justification for handouts for the proposed air cargo hub at Lambert. Tax credits and other subsidies do not support the public good in any clear or identifiable way.

Taxpayers, beware! The call will go out this week for “bold” and “innovative” job creation schemes at both the state and national level.

Don’t be fooled by promises of amazing returns made by supporters of the Aerotropolis legislation. The underlying economics is not there. So why have a number of self-described conservatives rushed to support a misuse of taxpayers’ money? The author calls it a “complete abandonment of principle.”

Supporters are calling for fast action - knowing that the economic case behind the Aerotropolis legislation does not survive close scrutiny.

The city of Sedalia stands to benefit from an overhaul of the hotel guest tax in Pettis County only if the savings are passed along to all voters and taxpayers.

The economic merits of the Aerotropolis tax credits are highly questionable, but if the legislature insists on enacting them, it should not allow that money to be controlled by political figures.