If Water Rates Rise, You Should Privatize!

Economy | June 25, 2010

By David Stokes | Read Time 1 minute

The title of this blog entry should be spoken as if you were Johnny Cochran (R.I.P.).

The Post-Dispatch is reporting that the city of St. Louis is raising its water rates (link via Combest). Now, I have no criticism of the rate increase — things cost what they cost, and government utilities have historically underpriced their products. If rates are rising, though, it should be a good time to consider the benefits of privatizing the St. Louis water system. C’mon, St. Louis. It’s good for what ails you.

About the Author

David Stokes

David Stokes is a St. Louis native and a graduate of Saint Louis University High School and Fairfield (Conn.) University. He spent six years as a political aide at the St. Louis County Council before joining the Show-Me Institute in 2007. Stokes was a policy analyst at the Show-Me Institute from 2007 to 2016. From 2016 through 2020 he was Executive Director of Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, where he led efforts to oppose harmful floodplain developments done with abusive tax subsidies. Stokes rejoined the Institute in early 2021 as the Director of Municipal Policy. He is a past president of the University City Library Board. He served on the St. Louis County 2010 Council Redistricting Commission and was the 2012 representative to the Electoral College from Missouri’s First Congressional District. He lives in University City with his wife and their three children.

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