Last month during the state Legislature’s special budget session, one contentious issue in the budget bill was doubling the state’s child care tax credit. Rep. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, made comments saying the tax credit served as an “incentive” for mothers to enter the workforce ...

Do people vote against their self-interest? For example, there are LGBTQ Americans that vote Republican, despite the party’s track record of unfavorable policies toward the LGBTQ community. Similarly, affluent Americans back President Joe Biden, even though his tax policies target ...

Fireworks are an important part of Independence Day celebrations in the United States. They entertain us with their power and beauty, while symbolizing our national pride. However, the sale and use of fireworks are heavily regulated by state and local governments. Consumer fireworks are legal ...

A month ago, I editorialized about the recent defeat of a proposed sales tax extension for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals stadiums in Jackson County, Missouri. Led by a group called KC Tenants, the “no” vote secured a 58% majority. Their message was why subsidize venues for ...

People constantly complain about political parties. And yet, in a society where people are free to express themselves and assemble together, forming parties is both logical and a valuable way to organize disagreements into choices that can be voted on. What most people dislike, I think, ...

Last semester, I asked students in my sustainable city planning class to close their eyes and visualize the typologies of five cradle-to-grave residences: birth residence, high school residence, current residence, parent’s residence and oldest family member’s residence. About 80% ...