Poll On Missouri’s Historic Tax Credit Program

The State of Missouri is facing a budget crunch so everything is on the table, including tax credits:

“Missouri has 61 tax credit programs that waived $521 million in state income taxes last year. Costs for tax credits have increased five-fold during the past dozen years while state revenues have risen much less.” (AP via Bloomberg)

One credit that may be scaled back is the historic tax credit:

“Gov. Jay Nixon’s tax credit commission recommended Tuesday lowering Missouri’s annual cap on historic tax credits from $140 million to $75 million a year.

The commission said the reduction, which would be permanent, should cover all historic renovation activity under the program. Nearly $100 million in historic tax credits were authorized in 2010, according to the commission’s report.”  (St. Louis Business Journal)

In 2010 “nearly $100 million in historic tax credits were authorized” so lowering the cap would reduced the number of projects getting renovated using the tax credit.  This is the subject of the poll this week.  I want to know how you, the readers, feel about the cap being lowered.  The poll is in the upper right corner of the blog.

– Steve Patterson

Readers Mixed On ‘Most Dangerous’ List

The results were mixed on the poll last week.

Q: St. Louis was recently named the ‘Most Dangerous City’ by CQ Press. Your thoughts:

1. The methodology may be flawed but there is some truth to it 51 [29.31%]
2. If they looked at metropolitan areas the St. Louis region wouldn’t be on the list at all. 50 [28.74%]
3. The study methodology is highly flawed so the results can’t be trusted. 27 [15.52%]
4. St. Louis is dangerous, but not the most dangerous. 27 [15.52%]
5. Other answer… 8 [4.6%]
6. Take that Camden NJ, we’re #1 this year! 7 [4.02%]
7. Agreed, St. Louis is the most dangerous. 3 [1.72%]
8. unsure/no opinion 1 [0.57%]

The other answers were:

1. The city is very dangerous
2. Horsecrap. So far.
3. Major cities like Chicago aren’t even considered for this “honor”
4. Dangerous enough to matter in the negative!
5. The city is extremely violent, however the city/county divide scews the results
6. No, St. Louis is not the most dangerous city.
7. Not the most dangerous, but dangerous enough and we need to fix it, now!
8. St. Louis is no more dangerous than any other large city.

I have no great conclusions based on the above other than 1) St. Louis can be dangerous 2) the results are flawed & 3) probably not the most dangerous. You see anything else in the numbers?

– Steve Patterson

Readers Do Not Support Exempting Casinos From Smoke-Free Laws

In the poll last week readers overwhelmingly support banning smoking in casinos.

Q: Should casinos be exempt from Smoke-Free laws?

1. No, smoke-free laws are in place to protect workers, including casino workers. 82 [62.12%]
2. All 21+ businesses should be exempt (casinos, nightclubs, etc) 23 [17.42%]
3. All smoking bans should be repealed, exempt everyplace! 12 [9.09%]
4. Yes, casinos should be exempt because of their economic impact, but not bars, etc. 9 [6.82%]
5. Other answer… 4 [3.03%]
6. Unsure/no opinion 2 [1.52%]

The four “other” answers were:

1. NO! All public places should be smoke free.
2. Air filtration systems to a certain safe air code.
3. No, it’s not about workers, it’s about everybody.
4. Casinos should be banned.

This as Illinois is considering amending it’s smoke-free law to permit smoking in casinos.

Last week a community considering a smoke-free law, including casinos, was granted the final casino license in Missouri:

“The Missouri Gaming Commission awarded on Wednesday the state’s 13th and only available gaming license to St. Louis-based Isle of Capri Casinos, which wants to build a $125 million casino in Cape Girardeau.” (St. Louis Business Journal)

Last week I heard a radio commercial for smoke-free gambling at Harrah’s St. Louis:

“Remember that so-called “non-smoking” section tucked away in the back corner of the casino filled with the most unpopular games? Well, we’re shaking things up! In addition to our smoke friendly casino, we’ve also created the largest smoke-free casino featuring over 600 of your favorite games and tables!” (Harrah’s)

I don’t like casinos either way but the workers have no choice if they want to remain employed.

– Steve Patterson

Poll: Is St. Louis Really The Most Dangerous City?

There it was in news reports from coast to coast — St. Louis is the most dangerous city:

“St. Louis has replaced Camden, New Jersey as the most dangerous U.S. city, according to a study based on FBI crime data and released Monday. St. Louis had 2,070 violent crimes per 100,000 residents last year, well over the national average of 429, according to the report issued by social science publisher CQ Press. Camden ranked second this year, with Detroit, Michigan; Flint, Michigan; and Oakland, California rounding out the top five most crime-ridden cities, according to the report.” (Reuters)

And like clockwork the validity of the study is questioned:

Each year when Crime in the United States is published, some entities use reported figures to compile rankings of cities and counties. These rough rankings provide no insight into the numerous variables that mold crime in a particular town, city, county, state, or region. Consequently, they lead to simplistic and/or incomplete analyses that often create misleading perceptions adversely affecting communities and their residents. Valid assessments are possible only with careful study and analysis of the range of unique conditions affecting each local law enforcement jurisdiction. The data user is, therefore, cautioned against comparing statistical data of individual reporting units from cities, metropolitan areas, states, or colleges or universities solely on the basis of their population coverage or student enrollment. (FBI)

At the same time violent crime has spiked:

“(KMOV) – With 25 homicides, November is one of the most deadly months St. Louis has ever seen. It’s also the worst month St. Louis Police Chief Dan Isom says he’s seen in his 23 years as a police officer.”

In 2007 St.. Louis was ranked #2 most dangerous by the same group.  In November 2007 I wrote:

“Do I feel unsafe in the city? No. Are there places where I might feel unsafe at 1am, you bet! But there are likely places I’d feel unsafe in the safest city? Absolutely.”

The poll this week asks your thoughts on this #1 ranking.

– Steve Patterson

Look, Pedestrians!

Lately readers have commented they never see pedestrians in my photos.

My photo library contains just over 46,000 images — few with people.  In St. Louis there are quite a few pedestrians but they pass as quickly as they appear so you are more likely not to get pedestrians in pictures.  In NYC, on the other hand, it is nearly impossible to take a pic without people.

No matter when you press the shutter there will be people in your photo.  I’m going to try to get pictures that are more representative of our pedestrian traffic.

– Steve Patterson