Attorney / Professor / Public Servant
The first part of a longer essay, begun in law school and newly rewritten, on two of my favorite philosophers — Nicolas de Condorcet and Sophie de Grouchy. It's the story of their lives and their tragic love amid the Reign of Terror, and a reflection on what they have to teach us as our nation enters a new constitutive moment.
Read on Substack →Nearly a decade ago, I argued that the alternatives to St. Louis' earnings tax were not fiscally sufficient, politically feasible, or economically desirable. With the city facing extraordinary capital needs in the wake of last year's tornado, that argument has only gotten stronger. Here's the updated case for voting yes on reauthorization.
Read on Substack →As Executive Director of the Community Development Administration, one of my favorite projects was lighting up city parks and public spaces with free municipal Wi-Fi. This is the story of how it came together — an object lesson in how good work still happens in St. Louis despite dysfunctional processes, and how our fractured institutions hold us back at every turn.
Read on Substack →To be honest, asking people to read my writing in this day and age feels insane. There’s too much going on in the world, and I don’t want to be screaming into the void. I don’t want to contribute to the flood of information and misinformation that’s drowning democracy, dividing communities, and eroding our collective memory. But here’s the thing: if the sane stay silent because sharing feels absurd, our information ecosystem will continue to disintegrate. My hope is that at worst, my writing will do no harm, and that at best it may contribute to some progress.
Read on Substack →My endorsement of Tishaura Jones for Mayor of St. Louis, based on her track record as City Treasurer, her policy positions on economic justice and community development, and her vision for a more equitable and prosperous St. Louis.
Read on Medium →A comprehensive analysis of proposed alternatives to St. Louis' earnings tax, examining their fiscal viability, political feasibility, and economic implications. This piece explains why the earnings tax remains the most equitable and sustainable funding mechanism for municipal services.
Read on Medium →