Federal and State Governments Have Less Control Over Shutdowns Than They Think
Officials in six Pennsylvania counties say they will allow businesses to reopen without permission from the state government. Expect more of that.
State Governments
The COVID-19 Economic Collapse Is Absolutely Wrecking State Pension Systems
With some investment returns likely falling as far as 15 percent, states are going to face a cumulative pension debt of between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion by the end of the year.
Trump Claims He Has 'Total' Authority Over When States End Social Distancing Rules. He's Wrong.
Plus: Americans plan to stay home for months, courts block more abortion bans, Amash "looking closely" at presidential run, and more...
No, Trump Cannot Open the Country Back Up Whenever He Wants
The president again insisted that the federal government can open the country by fiat. It cannot.
New York's New Budget: No Legal Weed, No Fracking, No Flavored Vapes, No Police Transparency. But You Get E-scooters!
If only everybody weren’t stuck in their homes.
Virginia Is About To Require a Government License for 'Art Therapy,' Because Glue and Scissors Are 'Potentially' Dangerous
The real motive for laws like this has nothing to do with scissors and glue. It's all about protectionism.
Are California's New Data Privacy Controls Even Legal?
A new paper raises constitutional questions about expansive state-level regulations that reach beyond their borders.
What, Us Worry? California Lawmakers Still Ignoring Dark Pension Clouds.
The guiding principle for California policymakers seems to be: Tell everyone what they want to hear—or at least stick to the rosiest scenarios.
Michigan Lawmakers Overturn a Bad Regulation Restricting Access to Cancer Treatments
They should scrap other Certificate of Need laws too.
Would a Bigger Legislature Mean a Smaller Government for California?
It's probably true that there is no magic ratio of legislators to constituents. Still, do Californians need more representation?
Texas Voters Ban State Income Taxes. Again.
Some 76 percent of Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment that prohibits the state from imposing any income tax.
Californians Are Fleeing the State's Progressive Policies
California's progressive political imperatives are having such glaring real-world repercussions that it's hard to keep ignoring them.
Judge to Charlottesville: You Can Put a Statue Up, but You Can't Take It Down
A judge has ruled that the town's Confederate monuments must stay.
California Might Resurrect Redevelopment Agencies That Were Wasteful Exercises in Corporate Welfare
Milton Friedman famously observed that "nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program." The rare demise of a government program, it seems, is temporary too.
Don't Believe the Hype: Sales Tax Holidays Are Usually a Ripoff
A weekend where a few items are free of sales taxes is a poor substitute for permanent reforms.
Utah Is Letting Lots of Government Employees Work From Home
And it's actually kind of great.
Texas Legalizes Lemonade Stands Run by Children
The state previously required that kids get a permit.
Federal Hospital Regulations Are a Competition-Killing Mess. A New Bill Promises To Fix That.
Consolidation in hospital markets is one cause of rising healthcare costs.
A Texas City Attorney Was Arrested and Detained for Helping Three Young Migrants on the Side of the Road
One of the migrants was gravely ill.
Florida's Republican Governor Vetoes State Legislature's Ban on Straw Bans
Straw banners have sucked victory from the jaws of defeat.
Florida Legislature Passes Moratorium on Straw Bans
The bill represents a win for defenders of plastic straws
California Housing Reform Bill Survives a Crucial Vote, but at What Cost?
SB 50 is starting to look less like a bold reform, and more like a marginal improvement on a dreadful status quo.
FOSTA's First Test Targets Cloud Company Used by Backpage
Plus: a Robert Kraft/spa-sting update, Florida sex-buyer registry nixed, D.C. activist alleges entrapment, and more sex-work and sex-policy news.
Companies Should Avoid States With Huge Pension Debts, Warren Buffett Warns
A candid picture of how investors see the slowly unfolding pension crisis
Arizona Could Become the First State to Recognize Occupational Licenses From Other States
Licensing laws tend to lock workers in place, but Gov. Doug Ducey says it's time to stop that foolishness.
New California Governor's Spending Plans Will Run Up Against Fiscal Reality
California's fiscal foundation is built on rock, says Gov. Gavin Newsom, but it's really more like sand.
America's Insane Patchwork of Fireworks Regulations Can Crimp Your New Year's Eve Celebrations
Fortunately, fireworks regulations have been getting more liberal with each passing year.
Kentucky Launches Special Session to Deal With State's Public Pension Crisis
"We have a legal and moral obligation to provide and deliver on the promises that have been made," says Gov. Matt Bevin, who called the session Monday.
What Will Democrats Do With New California Supermajority?
Thanks to an anti-Trump wave that crashed across California in the midterm elections, Democrats will now have legislative supermajorities.
Wisconsin Republicans Undercut Incoming Governor's Ability to Cancel $3 Billion Foxconn Giveaway
Now that a Democrat will be governor, Wisconsin GOP is suddenly uncomfortable with letting governors direct economic development schemes.
Illinois Lawmaker Resigns Following Revenge Porn Allegations
Interestingly enough, State Rep. Nick Sauer cosponsored an an ethics and sexual harassment bill during his short two years in office.
Legal or Illegal, Fireworks Are More Available Than Ever
Widespread demand, scofflawry, and loosening laws are making firecrackers, fountains, and bottle rockets easier to get.
Supreme Court Rules States Can Demand Outside Online Retailers Collect Sales Taxes
A blow against federalism, tax competition, and small businesses trying to expand.
Plan to Break Up California Makes Fall Ballot
Voters will get to consider a plan to create three smaller states, but politicians will make the call.
From Washington to Wisconsin, States Are Punishing Dissent
Faced with the possibility of fines or legal battles, many will choose not to speak at all.
Florists Just Killed Louisiana's Effort at Eliminating Florist Licenses
It's the only state to require the nonsensical license, and its state senators just voted to keep it that way.
America's Sinking Public Pension Plans Are Now $1.4 Trillion Underwater
Taxpayer contributions to pension plans have doubled in the past decade, but pension debt continues to increase.
A New Year Means a New California Secession Movement
A rural inland group wants to split from the coastal communities and from Sacramento.
Another Winner From Tax Reform: State Governments
Taxpayers could end up sending hundreds of millions of dollars more to state treasuries as a result of slashing federal deductions and exemptions.
Getting Veterans Back to Work
Occupational licensing laws are keeping returning servicemen and their families out of their chosen fields.
Wisconsin Budget Deal Includes Anti-Homesharing Provision
On the cusp of ending a two-month budget impasse, Wisconsin lawmakers might stick it to Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms.
Local Governments Spend Big On Lobbyists
In many states, local governments spend more on lobbyists than both business and unions.
Lawsuit: Californians Need More Representation, Not More Taxation
Instead of splitting the state into six parts, lawsuit proposes increasing number of state lawmakers to give voice to rural residents of the state.
GOP Pushes Bad, Punitive Anti-Federalist Immigration Bills Through the House
Rep. Justin Amash breaks from party and rejects both bills, citing constitutional violations.
