It cost taxpayers $ 15 million to build the Brentwood Boulevard shopping and apartment complex near the Richmond Heights Metrolink station. Government planners thought it would encourage transit use, but has it succeeded?

Are the Rams on their way out of St. Louis? A recent decision by arbitrators could have a serious impact on whether the Rams stay or go. Show-Me Institute Policy Researcher Michael Rathbone explains what this decision means not only for the Rams, but for taxpayers as well.

In this February 2013 Show-Me Forum, Policy Analysts David Stokes and Patrick Ishmael detail some of the specific bad public policies that are hurting Missouri. Of particular focus are corporate handouts in the form of development tax incentives, governments lobbying other governments for a larger share of taxpayer money, and Enterprise Zones (plus EEZs). Like all the Show-Me Forums, this event was held in Columbia. On the following day, Stokes and Ishmael reprised this presentation for an audience in the Show-Me Institute's office in the Central West End of Saint Louis.

Tax Increment Financing is one of the most common forms of local government corporate welfare. Here in Saint Louis, developers are attempting to use it in one of the most vibrant and economically healthy neighborhoods. A new high-rise apartment and Whole Foods grocery would be wonderful, but it should not involve taxpayer subsidy.

The Hadley Township community in Saint Louis County is another example of the devastation that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and eminent domain abuse in Missouri can cause. Residents have been stuck in a state of uncertainly for years now as the city and various developers have planned to buy and/or take their homes for commercial development. That uncertainty has had a devastating impact on the neighborhood as some residents let their properties deteriorate (understandable in the situation) while others tried valiantly to maintain their homes and the historically African-American neighborhood they love. The Show-Me Institute sat down with residents to discuss the situation in Hadley Township in this series of videos.

The Hadley Township community in Saint Louis County is another example of the devastation that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and eminent domain abuse in Missouri can cause. Residents have been stuck in a state of uncertainly for years now as the city and various developers have planned to buy and/or take their homes for commercial development. That uncertainty has had a devastating impact on the neighborhood as some residents let their properties deteriorate (understandable in the situation) while others tried valiantly to maintain their homes and the historically African-American neighborhood they love. The Show-Me Institute sat down with residents to discuss the situation in Hadley Township in this series of videos.

The Hadley Township community in Saint Louis County is another example of the devastation that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and eminent domain abuse in Missouri can cause. Residents have been stuck in a state of uncertainly for years now as the city and various developers have planned to buy and/or take their homes for commercial development. That uncertainty has had a devastating impact on the neighborhood as some residents let their properties deteriorate (understandable in the situation) while others tried valiantly to maintain their homes and the historically African-American neighborhood they love. The Show-Me Institute sat down with residents to discuss the situation in Hadley Township in this series of videos.

The Hadley Township community in Saint Louis County is another example of the devastation that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and eminent domain abuse in Missouri can cause. Residents have been stuck in a state of uncertainly for years now as the city and various developers have planned to buy and/or take their homes for commercial development. That uncertainty has had a devastating impact on the neighborhood as some residents let their properties deteriorate (understandable in the situation) while others tried valiantly to maintain their homes and the historically African-American neighborhood they love. The Show-Me Institute sat down with residents to discuss the situation in Hadley Township in this series of videos.

Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst David Stokes says the Missouri Legislature should have tackled tax credit reform.

Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst Patrick Ishmael talks about how the Legislature dealt with health care and tax credits … and says it’s good news, bad news.

Show-Me Institute Policy Researcher Michael Rathbone says the public shouldn’t bear the brunt of fixing up the Edward Jones Dome for the Rams.

Gary Voss has run the West County Lanes in Ellisville for almost three decades.  He’s never been given a tax subsidy, and he doesn’t think the Sansone Developers or Walmart should either.

Newly elected Mayor Adam Paul is against giving a TIF for a new Walmart near the intersection of Clarkson and Manchester. The Ellisville City Council has given preliminary approval for the TIF, but Paul thinks public opinion may still prevail.

The Ellisville City Council has given preliminary approval to a TIF for a new Walmart near the intersection of Clarkson and Manchester. The final vote is scheduled for May 2nd. Residents like Liz Schmidt are baffled by the council’s move. In her opinion, residents have already made their feelings clear about the TIF.

The Ellisville city council has given preliminary approval for a TIF to fund development of a Walmart at the corner of Clarkson and Manchester. That vote overrides the county TIF commission, and apparently, the will of a majority of Ellisville residents. David Stokes takes a look.

Should a private country club, even one with a rich golf history, be subsidized by taxpayers?  Show-Me Institute Policy Researcher Michael Rathbone takes a look at Norwood Hills Country Club in Saint Louis County.

In Saint Louis County, the TIF council recently rejected a TIF proposal from an Ellisville Walmart, but now the City of Ellisville is attempting to approve the subsidy proposal anyway.

As David Stokes briefly mentions in this vlog, the sales tax status of Ellisville in Saint Louis County encourages this kind of tax-incentive competition.

On November 10, 2011, Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst Audrey Spalding was a guest on the local KETC roundtable discussion show Donnybrook. Many topics were covered, including how and why the Occupy Saint Louis website recently cited Show-Me Institute research.

Click here to watch the video of the event.

The Senate has adjourned: What does this mean for Aerotropolis tax credits?

In this video, Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst Patrick Ishmael discusses the victory for Missouri residents represented by the defeat of Aerotropolis, and also what is needed from Missouri legislators going forward.

On Tuesday, October 4, the Show-Me Institute hosted a panel discussion to detail the history and future of the Aerotropolis tax credit bill moving through the Missouri Legislature. On hand to answer questions and explain their viewpoint were Missouri Senator John Lamping and Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst Audrey Spalding.