GOOD NEWSW ABOUT MISSOURI TAXES

A recent series of state government stories by our own Jack Stapleton showed that Missouri ranks fairly high on a list of the nation's largest governments but near the bottom on the amount of taxes collected. This is good news -- and more good news.

The first good news is the state provides a full range of services that are generally regarded as high quality at the least possible cost to taxpayers.

The other good news is that there is no need for Missouri to move any higher on the tax-collection list. Obviously, Missouri is able to do what many other states would like to do: provide good services with low taxes. It would be extremely unfortunate if anyone used the low ranking as an argument for increasing taxes in the state.

There's even more good news: Missouri could cut taxes and still have an ample stream of revenue to pay for the state's operations.

Well, maybe it's too much too hope for so much good news.