Show-me Institute Podcast

Show-Me Institute Audio Briefs features audio versions of select articles, commentary, and publications from the Show-Me Institute. Learn more at showmeinstitute.org: https://bit.ly/4sy08Yx Produced by Show-Me Opportunity This episode was produced using AI-generated narration.

Susan Pendergrass and Patrick Tuohey join Zach Lawhorn to discuss their new report, "The Public Safety Climate in the City of St. Louis." They explore what the data actually show about crime trends over the past two decades, how St. Louis compares to similar cities like Cincinnati and Memphis, why crime perception lags so far behind the data, the challenges facing the 911 system and police staffing, why public disorder in high-traffic neighborhoods may be doing as much damage to the city's reputation as violent crime itself, what it would take to make residents actually feel safer, and more. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Show-Me Institute Audio Briefs features audio versions of select articles, commentary, and publications from the Show-Me Institute. Learn more at showmeinstitute.org: https://showmeinstitute.org/article/economy/trump-executive-order-targets-some-housing-regulation/ Produced by Show-Me Opportunity This episode was produced using AI-generated narration.

Patrick Tuohey and David Stokes join Zach Lawhorn to break down the key issues Missouri voters will decide on April 7th. They discuss whether local elections should stay in April or move to November, property tax limit votes happening in more than 90 counties, new fire district sales tax authority and what it means for taxpayers, the 1% earnings tax renewals in Kansas City and St. Louis, and Springfield's convention center lodging tax returning to the ballot after voters already rejected it. They also discuss use taxes, senior property tax freezes, the economic development sales tax on the ballot in O'Fallon, and more. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Show-Me Institute Audio Briefs features audio versions of select articles, commentary, and publications from the Show-Me Institute. Learn more at showmeinstitute.org: https://showmeinstitute.org/article/corporate-welfare/kansas-sports-authority-lets-chiefs-play-as-home-team-referee-and-rulebook/ Produced by Show-Me Opportunity This episode was produced using AI-generated narration.

David Stokes, Elias Tsapelas, and Avery Frank join Zach Lawhorn to break down the latest from the 2026 Missouri legislative session, including updates on the push to eliminate Missouri's income tax. They also discuss why the film tax credit doesn't work out for Missouri taxpayers, which provisions of the early literacy bills are still moving forward, the growing debate over data center incentives and energy demands, and more. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Show-Me Institute Audio Briefs features audio versions of select articles, commentary, and publications from the Show-Me Institute. Learn more at showmeinstitute.org: https://showmeinstitute.org/article/taxes/the-wrong-way-to-fix-property-taxes/ Produced by Show-Me Opportunity This episode was produced using AI-generated narration.

Show-Me Institute Audio Briefs features audio versions of select articles, commentary, and publications from the Show-Me Institute. Learn more at showmeinstitute.org: https://showmeinstitute.org/article/economy/whos-paying-for-what-with-data-centers/ Produced by Show-Me Opportunity This episode was produced using AI-generated narration.

Show-Me Institute Audio Briefs features audio versions of select articles, commentary, and publications from the Show-Me Institute. Learn more at showmeinstitute.org. Article text: David Stokes Was Right: Property Tax Caps Are Squeezing Local Budgets Nationwide By Patrick Tuohey Property tax relief has become a rallying cry for state policymakers across the country. Frustration over rising home values and the cost of living has driven lawmakers in states including Indiana, Ohio, and Wyoming to enact sweeping property tax cuts in recent sessions. But while these measures may look attractive on the campaign trail, they are already putting real strain on local governments that depend on property taxes to fund schools, public safety, and other essential services. An article in the publication Governing titled “State Property Tax Relief Pushes Local Budgets to the Brink” highlights this emerging dynamic. Lawmakers in several states have pursued homeowner tax credits, rate caps, or other limitations without

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Christopher Talgo, editorial director at the Heartland Institute, to discuss his recent piece in The Hill on the state of American public education. They explore why the claim that public schools are underfunded doesn't hold up to scrutiny, how per-pupil spending often exceeds private school tuition while outcomes continue to decline, and where all that money is actually going. They also discuss the growing administrative bloat crowding out classroom resources, the dysfunction baked into teacher tenure and union structures, why school choice may be the only real path to meaningful reform, and how states like Florida and Arizona are already demonstrating what's possible when parents are empowered to choose, and more. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Show-Me Institute Audio Briefs features audio versions of select articles, commentary, and publications from the Show-Me Institute. Learn more at showmeinstitute.org. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity This episode was produced using AI-generated narration.

Show-Me Institute Audio Briefs features audio versions of select articles, commentary, and publications from the Show-Me Institute. Learn more at showmeinstitute.org. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity This episode was produced using AI-generated narration.

Show-Me Institute Audio Briefs features audio versions of select articles, commentary, and publications from the Show-Me Institute. Learn more at showmeinstitute.org. This episode was produced using AI-generated narration. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity.

Show-Me Institute Audio Briefs features audio versions of select articles, commentary, and publications from the Show-Me Institute. Learn more at showmeinstitute.org. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity. This episode was produced using AI-generated narration.

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Mike McShane, Director of National Research at EdChoice and contributor to the Informed Choice Substack, to discuss his piece, “The Six Words Driving the Education Debate in 2026.” They explore why the school choice conversation has shifted from whether it should exist to what it should look like, how debates over “transparency” and “accountability” are shaping political strategy, and why participation in choice programs changes over time. They also discuss the influence of “rage bait” on public perception, the emerging risks of AI-generated “slop” in schools, and how the “supply side” of education, from micro schools to new learning providers, may determine whether expanded choice truly meets families’ needs, and more. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

David Stokes, Elias Tsapelas, and Avery Frank join Zach Lawhorn to break down Governor Mike Kehoe’s State of the State address, including what we know so far about his plan to eliminate Missouri’s income tax, proposals to modernize Missouri's tax system, and the need to rein in state spending. They also discuss open enrollment legislation, the new Missouri Advanced Nuclear Task Force and AI strategy executive order, the push to privatize downtown St. Louis convention center operations, what the Dome’s history says about stadium subsidies, Kansas City’s stadium debate, what they are watching in Jefferson City, and more. Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Susan Pendergrass speaks with Vladimir Kogan, professor of political science at The Ohio State University, to discuss his new book, No Adult Left Behind, How Politics Hijacks Education Policy and Hurts Kids. They explore why the No Child Left Behind era is increasingly viewed as a high point for academic accountability, how low-turnout school board elections skew decision making away from students, and why policies like four-day school weeks often serve adult interests rather than children, and more. Find Vlad's book here: https://bit.ly/3KQzCJv Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Patrick Tuohey joined Pete Mundo on Mundo in the Morning on KCMO Talk Radio to question whether the Kansas City Chiefs’ move to Kansas is really a done deal. He explains why unresolved financial details, uncertain STAR bond math, and the lack of taxpayer backing raise doubts about whether the proposed stadium plan can move forward as advertised.

David Stokes, Elias Tsapelas, and Avery Frank join host Zach Lawhorn to discuss the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, new federal proposals aimed at lowering healthcare costs through cost sharing, employer coverage reforms, and prescription drug transparency. They also break down the latest installment of David Stokes’ Free Market Guide for Missouri Municipalities on parks and recreation, the role of user fees and outsourcing, national polling on public school open enrollment and why parents strongly support it, what they are watching as the 2026 legislative session approaches, and more. Link to the national survey: https://yeseverykidfoundation.org/new-national-poll-shows-americans-demand-more-family-first-k-12-education/ Produced by Show-Me Opportunity

Guest hosting Mundo in the Morning on KCMO Talk Radio, Patrick Tuohey speaks with Thomas Friestad of the Kansas City Business Journal about how Kansas STAR bonds work and what they mean for a proposed Kansas City Chiefs stadium.