Show-me Institute Podcast

Susan Pendergrass speaks with David Stokes, Director of Municipal Policy at the Show-Me Institute, about A Free-Market Guide for Missouri Cities, Towns, and Villages, Part Two: Taxation. They discuss Missouri's over-reliance on sales taxes and harmful local income taxes, particularly in St. Louis and Kansas City. Stokes emphasizes the need for a "three-legged stool" approach to municipal funding, where sales taxes, property taxes, and user fees work together to create a more stable and sustainable financial system for Missouri's municipalities. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Municipal Policy Expertise 02:52 Understanding Municipal Policy and Governance 06:12 Local Taxation: Sources and Implications 09:03 The Role of User Fees in Municipal Finance 12:10 Sales Tax Dynamics and Special Taxing Districts 14:47 The Impact of Tax Incentives on Local Development 17:54 Challenges of Property and Personal Property Taxes 20:58 Sales Tax Pooling: A Unique Approach 24:08 Conclusion and Future Directions in Municipal P