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Articles by David Stokes
Health Department should rein in its regulations and let Harrisburg woman serve breakfasts
Surgeon General: “Loneliness is an epidemic.” Local Woman: “Let me help fix that.” Columbia/Boone County Health Dept.: “No, not like that.” Loneliness is increasing in America. A 2023 report by the U.S. Surgeon General’s office documented the decline in social connections between people in recent decades. From 2003 to 2020, every measure tracked showed an increase in isolation and a decrease in personal interactions.
California's Prop 13 offers cautionary tale as Missouri counties weigh tax limits | Opinion - St. Louis Business Journal
The April ballot measure would prohibit tax increases from reassessments in three fast-growing counties. School districts could become more dependent on state aid.
A free-city project for Missouri
In 2001, a group of very libertarian-minded activists launched the Free-State Project, which encouraged thousands of libertarian believers in minimal government to move to New Hampshire. The overall success of the project has been limited, for a variety of reasons, but if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then I'd like to see people in Missouri flatter the Granite State and try to do a similar thing here in one of our many cities.
The 'Surveillance Society' is here
I love science-fiction movies that portray a future, usually bleak, society. Thankfully, the predictions generally have not been borne out, yet. Los Angeles in the 2020s is a much nicer place than was predicted in "The Terminator" and "Blade Runner." I appreciate futuristic settings where the all-powerful government maintains a sense of incompetence, like in Brazil. The byzantine bureaucracy in the future's all-powerful dictatorship may be more sinister, but I doubt they will become more capable.
Columbia Should Privatize Its Water and Electric Utilities
A version of this commentary appeared in the Columbia Missourian. Columbia is currently considering raising its municipal water rates. The proposed increase would be set at four percent, with higher increases for some water services during the summer. I have no criticism of the proposed increase if it is truly necessary and the revenue is properly used, but there is an even better option that Columbia citizens and leaders should consider: privatization.
Columbia should privatize Its water and electric utilities
Columbia is currently considering raising its municipal water rates. The proposed increase would be set at 4%, with higher increases for some water services during the summer. I have no criticism of the proposed increase if it is truly necessary and the revenue is properly used, but there is an even better option that Columbia citizens and leaders should consider: privatization. There is no standard method for providing utility services in Missouri cities.
Exempting child care from property tax is a terrible idea
By David Stokes, Show-Me Institute On Aug. 6, along with voting in party primaries, Missouri voters are being asked to vote on a constitutional amendment to exempt all child care facilities outside of homes from property taxes. While we all want more affordable child care, this proposal is a terrible idea. Any small benefit to families with young children will be more than offset by higher property taxes on everyone else.
911 systems are great opportunity for local government cooperation
There is probably no better opportunity for municipalities to share services and save tax money than in emergency 911 dispatching services. Even when presented with evidence of cost savings and performance improvements through the contracting or outsourcing of police, fire and ambulance services, some residents still prefer the presence of local first responders directed by local leaders.
Taxpayers should demand larger rollbacks than Hancock Amendment requires
A version of the following commentary appeared as a letter to the editor in the Columbia Missourian. Earlier this year, Missouri homeowners received their reassessment notices on the value of their property. For many homeowners, the new values were quite a shock. In Jackson County, for example, the average assessment increase was 30 percent. Missouri’s Hancock Amendment is supposed to require tax rate rollbacks as assessed values increase. Reassessment is not supposed to be a tax increase.
Property tax debates
To the Editor: Earlier this year, Missouri homeowners received their reassessment notices on the value of their property. For many homeowners, the new values were quite a shock. In Jackson County, for example, the average assessment increase was 30%. Missouri’s Hancock Amendment is supposed to require tax rate rollbacks as assessed values increase. Reassessment is not supposed to be a tax increase.
Counties should roll back tax levies
To the Editor: Earlier this year, Missouri homeowners received their reassessment notices on the value of their property. For many homeowners, the new values were quite a shock. In Jackson County, for example, the average assessment increase was 30 percent. Missouri’s Hancock Amendment is supposed to require tax rate rollbacks as assessed values increase. Reassessment is not supposed to be a tax increase.
Taxpayers should demand larger rollbacks than Hancock Amendment requires
Earlier this year, Missouri homeowners received reassessment notices on the value of their property. For many homeowners, the new values were quite a shock. In Jackson County, for example, the average assessment increase was 30%. Missouri’s Hancock Amendment is supposed to require tax rate rollbacks as assessed values increase. Reassessment is not supposed to be a tax increase. However, the high inflation of last year allows local governments to roll back rates far less than usual, if at all.
Missouri voters must weigh pros and cons of marijuana tax
For better or worse, Missouri voters legalized the sale of marijuana in November. The ballot initiative gave Missouri cities and counties authority to establish a local 3% tax on the sale of marijuana, subject to voter approval. This decision faces many Missouri voters in April.
The Kansas-Missouri Border War isn't over
Missouri and Kansas are no strangers to border conflict. No, we’re not talking about the chaos that inspired 'The Outlaw Josey Wales.' The fear today is over cross-border job poachers. However, that doesn’t justify giving Fidelity Security Life Insurance $12.7 million just to stay in Kansas City.
The border war between Kansas and Missouri isn't over yet
[Editor’s note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Policy.] By David Stokes & Michael Farren Real Clear Policy Missouri and Kansas are no strangers to border conflict. No, we’re not talking about the chaos that inspired “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” The fear today is over cross-border job poachers. However, that doesn’t justify giving Fidelity Security Life Insurance $12.7 million just to stay inside Kansas City.
The Kansas-Missouri Border War Isn't Over
Missouri and Kansas are no strangers to border conflict. No, we’re not talking about the chaos that inspired “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” The fear today is over cross-border job poachers. However, that doesn’t justify giving Fidelity Security Life Insurance $12.7 million just to stay inside Kansas City.
The Kansas-Missouri Border War Isn't Over
David Stokes & Michael Farren RealClearPolicy April 27, 2022 Missouri and Kansas are no strangers to border conflict. No, we’re not talking about the chaos that inspired “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” The fear today is over cross-border job poachers. However, that doesn’t justify giving Fidelity Security Life Insurance $12.7 million just to stay inside Kansas City.
The Kansas-Missouri Border War Isn't Over
By David Stokes & Michael Farren April 27, 2022 (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Missouri and Kansas are no strangers to border conflict. No, we’re not talking about the chaos that inspired “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” The fear today is over cross-border job poachers. However, that doesn’t justify giving Fidelity Security Life Insurance $12.7 million just to stay inside Kansas City.
The Kansas-Missouri Border War Isn't Over
Missouri and Kansas are no strangers to border conflict. No, we’re not talking about the chaos that inspired “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” The fear today is over cross-border job poachers. However, that doesn’t justify giving Fidelity Security Life Insurance $12.7 million just to stay inside Kansas City.
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