On May 13, Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst Patrick Ishmael appeared on Channel 2's Jaco Report in Saint Louis to discuss the merits of voter ID reform in Missouri.

View the video on Fox 2's website by clicking here.

This video, created by the Economic Freedom Project, demonstrates the power of free markets to create and restore — in this case showcasing Joplin, Mo and the volunteers, workers, and residents acting in a market free from government help or excessive regulations.

In these two videos, Wendell Cox explains some of the ideas and implications of his recent policy study for the Show-Me Institute. Is Saint Louis poised to see a population resurgence? Is "smart growth" harming the areas that implement it?

In the final Show-Me Forum of 2011, Missouri Bankers Chair John Howe and Show-Me Institute President Rex Sinquefield discuss the "efficient markets hypothesis," the idea that it's impossible to "beat the market" because stock prices reflect all available information. Professor Howe takes a theoretical approach from the start, but buttresses his arguments with a number of studies and experiences.

Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst Audrey Spalding returned to Saint Louis local roundtable discussion show Donnybrook on December 15, 2011. Among the topics covered this time were: a proposal to ban texting while driving in the state of Missouri, the new leadership announced by the RCGA, the controversy surrounding Lowe's and "All-American Muslim," and Pujols' departure from the Saint Louis Cardinals.

Click here to watch the video of the event.

Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst David Stokes recently appeared on Channel 2's Jaco Report in Saint Louis in support of the idea that the minimum wage is harmful for the Missouri economy.

View the video on Fox 2's website by clicking here.

Food trucks are gaining popularity nationwide, and the greater Saint Louis area is no exception. Some localities wish to ban the food trucks, restricting competition and consumer choice. In this video, cupcake truck owner Jeff Pupillo explains how allowing such competition benefits consumers, workers and taxpayers.

Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst David Stokes weighs in on red light cameras in Saint Louis — the recent ruling that found such cameras illegal in Saint Louis, and the implications of the ruling for the city payroll tax.

On April 22, economist Art Carden of Rhodes College stopped by the Show-Me Institute's office to talk to the staff about his research. Carden's recent work focuses on the economic impact of Walmart and other big-box retailers. In his remarks, he pokes holes in the many popular misconceptions surrounding such retail chains.

Food trucks are growing in popularity in the Saint Louis area. Some area legislators want to restrict their freedom of movement. In this video, Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst Christine Harbin hits the streets of the Central West End to find out what the customers think of food trucks and of legislative efforts to put the brakes on wheeled food.

Anthony Barber wants to open a barbecue restaurant in north Saint Louis. But last summer, the city rejected his bid to buy the vacant building where he planned to put it. Now, after a yearlong investigation by Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst Audrey Spalding, the city has said that it will reconsider his application. Here's Anthony’s story.

On Oct. 4, 2010, Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst Dave Roland, now with the Freedom Center of Missouri, spoke in Columbia on the topic of occupational licensing and the right to earn a living. Titled "Economic Liberty and Occupational Licensing: If You Aren't Outraged, You're Not Paying Enough Attention," his talk relates the stories of a few specific individuals who have been harmed by occupational licensing, as well as the history of licensing — both in general, as well as in Missouri.

Why does the city of Saint Louis hold so many vacant homes and properties without selling most of them? How can a financially strapped city afford to hold onto thousands of properties when there are potential buyers? Show-Me Institute Policy Analyst Audrey Spalding spent nearly a year researching the issue and will soon publish a policy study that raises some interesting questions. Here’s a video preview.

Show-Me Institute Research Assistant John Payne and Policy Analyst David Stokes debate on the subject "Are Conservatives and Libertarians Natural Allies?" Since the end of World War II, libertarians have typically been considered a part of the right, in a "fusionist" alliance with traditional conservatives. However, a number of libertarians have questioned the usefulness of this longstanding relationship in light of the dramatic growth in the size of government and restrictive social policies instituted by self-described conservatives in government. Both Payne and Stokes want to see dramatic reductions in the size of government and the roles it plays, but they disagree on the strategy for achieving those goals.

On Aug. 20, 2010, the Show-Me Institute hosted a panel discussion about issues surrounding the filming of police. The event featured Adam Mueller and Pete Eyre of Liberty on Tour, and Redditt Hudson of the ACLU of Eastern Missouri. Among the topics they discussed were why citizens should film the police, why police should want to be filmed, and many specific examples of the legality of such filming and how citizens filming police have run afoul of officers who did not wish to be filmed. John Payne, a research assistant with the Show-Me Institute, moderated the discussion.

Saint Louis city Alderman Antonio French, who represents the 21st ward, and Missouri Sen. Jim Lembke, who represents part of south Saint Louis city and south Saint Louis County, answered questions from moderator Martha King, Show-Me Institute intern, and attendees. This event took place at the Show-Me Institute office in Saint Louis on June 9, 2010.