We’ve heard it all before – the tired myths about the effects of the minimum wage on the economy. But not only do national studies consistently show little impact on jobs, we only have to look at previous wage increases in Missouri to see the truth. Following the last minimum Read More

Missourians harvest the food we eat, build local homes and businesses, keep our communities safe, and teach our children. They are the engines of our economy, supplying the products and services we use every day. Those same Missourians are consumers, providing customers to Read More

Later this year, Missouri voters will consider a ballot initiative that would gradually increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour and ensure that workers have access to paid sick leave. The initiative would provide a raise to nearly 1 in 4 Missouri workers. That’s over Read More

A stable caregiving workforce is critical to ensuring that children, older adults, and those with disabilities receive the high-quality care they need and deserve. Yet the care sector – which includes childcare workers, home health aides, and workers in mental health and child Read More

Missouri workers are the driving force behind our state’s economy. When workers earn a decent wage and are given the opportunity to care for their health and their families’ health without risking their jobs or paychecks, they are more focused at work on providing high quality Read More

For Immediate Release: April 3, 2024Contact: Traci Gleason, A new analysis from the Missouri Budget Project shows that the expansion of school vouchers like those through the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts would require school districts to increase the amount of local Read More

State lawmakers are considering legislation that would expand the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, or vouchers. While the financial impact of vouchers would vary widely by district, some increases could be substantial and may require a local tax increase. Read More

The past year saw a dramatic rise in housing values and property tax assessments in counties across Missouri, resulting in steep increases in property tax for many homeowners. At the same time, Missouri saw larger rent increases than any other state, with a 13.18% increase in Read More

The Missouri Budget Project’s “Introduction to Missouri’s State Budget” outlines Missouri’s budget process, including where the state’s revenue comes from and how the state allocates funding. View the 2024 Version View the 2023 Version View the 2022 Version View the Read More

Although employment has improved dramatically since the peak of job loss during the pandemic, Missouri’s strong unemployment rate masks considerable geographic disparities. Further, not all Missourians have recovered equally. Tying unemployment benefits to economic conditions Read More