From left to right, new Fellows Drs. Chris Wielga, Maryluz Ensuncho, and Chinenye Izuegbunam, and second-year Fellows Drs. Rieka Yu and Isabel Warner.
Dr. Isabel Warner attended the Governor's Conference on Economic Development in St. Louis from September 4-6.
Read more about her experience, or request a Science Note from Dr. Warner on economic and workforce development, education, or tax policy.
Fellows after completing the Nelson-Atkins Museum's mini golf Art Course
Fellows had a great time visiting Kansas City, meeting with legislators and partners, and having a little fun along the way.
Missed us in KC? Schedule a meeting or request a Science Note!
Come see the MOST Policy Fellows at events,
at the capitol, and in your district!
We're heading to Cape Girardeau on October 3rd and 4th,
and Springfield on October 17th and 18th!
Stay tuned for more dates and locations, or follow our Eventbrite to stay up to date!
Education and Workforce
How have public university funding and tuition rates
changed over the past 20 years?
Missouri legislators met to discuss the issues arising from the rollout of a new childcare subsidy payment system implemented by the Department of Education & Secondary Education (DESE) in January 2024.
Pictured: The House Budget Committee hears testimony from DESE Commissioner Karla Eslinger (right) and Deputy Commissioner of Financial & Administrative Services Dr. Kari Monsees (left).
Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel.
Not Pictured: The House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education heard testimony from the above individuals and childcare providers from across the state.
How does child care access impact the Missouri workforce?
Research Highlights:
How can states aid disabled children's childcare access?
Research Highlights:
"As the use of artificial intelligence grows, so does the technology required to store its data — and the energy that infrastructure consumes...
A data center is a physical location that houses internet servers. Large tech companies are making plans to build them across the country. AI data centers use significantly more energy than current data facilities.
“We’re in (a) precarious position,” said Geoff Marke, chief economist with the Missouri Office of Public Counsel. “We don’t have enough generation to meet our load before we start talking about AI data centers coming online.”
Marke and the other energy experts gathered in Jefferson City expressed concern about resource adequacy — whether the state makes enough energy for its own use."
"As we countdown the days until the election, campaigns in Missouri are counting the *dollars they need to get their message out. But experts say big spending might not be the key to success in an election…
The jury is still out on whether it actually matters how much a campaign spends. [Political Science Professor Terry] Smith said research is varied, but University of Missouri Economics Professor Jeff Milyo said big spending doesn’t have as much impact during presidential election years when voter turnout is already expected to be high…
However, Milyo said the amount raised indicates how successful the campaign or candidate is likely to be at the polls."
"In Missouri, food insecurity jumped to 924,180 individuals in 2023, a 29% increase from the previous year. Food insecurity rates often are higher in rural communities like those served by Southeast Missouri Food Bank. The food bank’s 16-county service area includes seven of the 10 most food insecure counties in the state. The food bank’s 16-county service area includes seven of the 10 most food insecure counties in the state."