October 12, 2022

Curious about what happened during Missouri's recent special session?
Our MOST Policy Fellows have put together a short recap on our Medium blog. Click to read more about the tax bills that were passed and the Science Notes they've written about these topics.

Don't know much about taxes? We recommend starting off with our Missouri Tax Overview.

Cannabis Use Disorder

What is the relationship between cannabis legalization & cannabis use disorder?

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is cannabis use that leads to significant impairment or distress.

In Missouri, CUD is less common than other substance use disorders.

Increases in CUD are relatively low in states after cannabis legalization.

PFAS Chemicals

What are the health impacts of PFAS exposure?

PFAS are used to make everyday products that resist heat, water, oil, grease, and other stains.

Human PFAS exposure can have negative health impacts.

However, additional research is needed to understand the connections between PFAS exposure and human health.

Ameren Missouri offers funds for businesses to install EV charging stations

According to Ameren Missouri, there’s still nearly $4 million available for the ‘Charge Ahead’ program, which had been set to expire at the end of the year. Regulators have now extended the deadline to the end of 2024. The program reimburses half the cost to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations business parking lots.

Science Note: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Missouri agriculture groups renew criticism of Grain Belt Express over new extension

A years-long fight over the Grain Belt Express high-voltage transmission line appeared to end earlier this year when lawmakers signed off on compromise legislation requiring future transmission lines to bring more benefit to Missouri. A coalition of five agricultural groups said Monday in a joint statement that they believed developers are “intentionally attempting to skirt the landowner protections” in the new law.

Science Note: Eminent Domain

Missouri election law has changed. Here’s what voters need to know to cast a ballot

Election Day is just over a month away and a lot has changed for voters since the last time they cast a ballot. New elections law went into effect after the August primary election and, as local election authorities, we have an obligation to educate voters about what to expect when they vote this fall.

Science Note : Voter ID
Science Note : Absentee Voting

Another toddler gun death in St. Louis area renews calls for safety measures like gun locks

Local elected leaders are calling on St. Louis gun owners to do more to prevent accidental deaths after a toddler was killed in the city Monday. The 2-year-old shot himself in the head after accessing an unsecured firearm while he was in a car with his mother on South Kingshighway, according to St. Louis police. He died at a hospital, and his father was taken into custody after admitting that he owned the unsecured weapon, police said.

Science Note: Secure Firearm Storage

A wetter world is changing farm country. Can growers adapt?

A hotter atmosphere is causing rain to fall in harder bursts, pushing back planting seasons and drowning crops. At the same time as human-driven climate change is juicing precipitation, Corn Belt farming practices such as installing underground drainage tiles and leaving fields bare after harvest are changing how water moves across the landscape and into waterways.

Science Note: Flood Resilience
Science Note: Missouri Agriculture & Economy

Applications for our Executive Policy Fellowship continue to be accepted on a rolling basis. MOST Executive Policy Fellows assist state agencies with incorporating data management, analysis, visualization, and integration practices to improve program design and implementation according to agency priorities. Executive Policy Fellows also have opportunities to build policy-relevant skills by participating in professional development activities hosted by MOST and by contributing additional capacity to team projects as appropriate.

We are currently seeking candidates that have (or will have) a terminal degree (M.S./M.A. or above) in data science, computer science, systems engineering, or a related field (e.g., operations management), or have completed a terminal degree in another discipline that required extensive data analysis. Do you know someone who would be a good fit? Additional application materials can be found at https://mostpolicyinitiative.org/about/fellows/apply/.

Calling scientists and engineers interested in policy writing experience!

We are seeking members of a Community Science Note Editorial Board who can assist in writing and reviewing science notes for a variety of settings, including general information, responses to public comment opportunities, and in advance of public hearings. We request that writers and editors have scientific training such as advanced degrees and/or extensive research experience.

Volunteer to write and/or edit Community Science Notes

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