Map: In L.A., Local Control Is Local Confusion
The people who could benefit from new housing stock aren't on this map—they're exiled to unincorporated areas.
Policy
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green Backtracks on YIMBY Emergency Order
In the face of lawsuits and accusations of attempted "genocide," Green is restoring many homebuilding regulations he suspended in July.
Harsh AI Regulation From Congress Imperils Innovation
In addition to licensing regimes, there have also been calls for creating a new agency to regulate AI.
YIMBY Progress In California
The state legislature recently passed significant new laws constraining exclusionary zoning, thereby making it easier for property owners to build much-needed new housing on their land.
The DOJ's Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google Is a Loser for Consumers
Despite years of Google primacy over Microsoft Bing, usage of Bing has more than doubled over the past three years and continues to grow.
Rent-Seeking Behavior: Puzzle #7
"Supreme Court justice who had a famous friendship with RBG"
Quebec's Language Restrictions Limit Freedom of Expression
One Montreal restaurant was cited for having "fish and chips" on its menu.
Gas and Rent Drive Inflation Higher for the Second Straight Month
Overall inflation rose 0.6 percent in August leading to an annualized rate of 3.7 percent.
California Legislature Passes Slew of YIMBY Reforms
Two bills approved by the Legislature this week will make it easier to build affordable housing on church land and in coastal areas.
The Trial Begins: DOJ Sues Google Over Search Engine Dominance
Plus: FDA approves new COVID-19 vaccine, Elizabeth Warren goes after Elon Musk, and more...
What's the Libertarian Answer to New York's Migrant Crisis?
Plus: A listener asks the editors to name America's unsung or undersung heroes.
Critics Sue Over Hawaii's Housing Deregulation, Calling It Attempted 'Genocide'
A coalition including the state ACLU, Sierra Club, and Native Hawaiian cultural groups argue Gov. Josh Green vastly exceeded his emergency powers when he waived most regulations on homebuilding.
Did NYC Just Kneecap Airbnb?
"The city is treating our private property as the city's housing stock."
California Lawmakers Approve Bill Decriminalizing Magic Mushrooms
Plus: The Biden administration weighs a "remain in Texas" policy, California slowly but surely reforms its housing-killing environmental review law, and more...
Judge Rules Minneapolis' Zoning Reforms Are Getting Too Much Housing Built
Plus: Political campaigns will have to disclose if they use AI in their ads, the effort to rehabilitate rent control rumbles on, and more...
Help Workers by Breaking Down Barriers to Labor Mobility - Both Domestic and International
Labor Day is the right time to remember that we can make workers vastly better off by empowering more of them to vote with their feet, both within countries and through international migration.
Subsidies Won't Stop Stagnation
Joe Biden is making an $80 billion bet that's doomed to fail.
Africa's Planned Cities Need Unplanning
Nigeria's shantytowns are more functional than its centrally planned gated communities.
California Coastal Cities' Housing Plan: Build Elsewhere
Republican-controlled Huntington Beach has sued the state government to stop enforcement of state housing mandates.
China Is No Economic Model for America
The country's current struggles show the problems of the Beijing way—and make the case for freedom.
Nurses from 40 States Will be Eligible To Practice in Pennsylvania
On September 5, the Keystone State is removing a big barrier to health care.
Yes in My Back Yard: Puzzle #4
"Colorado resort town in which snowball fights are illegal"
To Tackle Highest Housing Costs in the Country, Hawaii's Governor Declares YIMBY Martial Law
An emergency proclamation by Gov. Josh Green offers developers the opportunity to route around almost all regulations on building homes.
U.S. Emulates Communist China in New TikTok Draft Agreement
Plus: Americans vote too much, Indiana abortion ban to take effect, and more...
The Argentine Libertarian Dog-Friendly Darling?
Plus: Libertarian lessons in the wake of the Maui wildfires
The Town Without Zoning
Can Caroline, New York, resist the imposition of its first-ever zoning code?
Texas School District Threatens to Seize 79-Year-Old Man's Home for Stadium Parking Lot
The Houston-area Aldine Independent School District is considering the use of eminent domain to seize a one-acre property owned and occupied by Travis Upchurch.
The Biden Administration's Antitrust Changes Would Be Great for Bureaucrats—and Bad for Consumers
The guidelines would ignore decades of academic findings about how firm concentration can have a positive impact on consumers' welfare.
New York's Migrant Crisis is Caused by a Combination of Federal Work Restrictions and Local Zoning Policy
It's the predictable result of the combination of federal regulations barring asylum seekers from working legally and local policies offering free housing, while severely restricting new housing construction.
A New Bill Would Extend California's YIMBY Revolution to Heavily Regulated Coastal Areas
S.B. 423 would prevent the state's powerful Coastal Commission from shooting down affordable housing projects that comply with local zoning laws.
The Battlefields of Cable
How cable TV transformed politics—and how politics transformed cable TV
'Private Tyranny' Is Less Private Than You Think
Sohrab Ahmari inadvertently gives even more reasons to reduce the power of the state.
Why Stripping Fox's Broadcast License Is a Terrible Idea
Plus: A listener inquires about the potential positive effects of ranked-choice voting reforms.
AOC Slams the FDA's Harmful Overregulation of Sunscreen
On this one issue, the democratic socialist sounds a lot like a libertarian.
Google Will Go to Trial Over Preloading Apps and Search Engine on Phones
Plus: Ohio Issue 1 defeated, Supreme Court pauses order vacating gun regulations, and more...
Valuable Mercatus Center Study Surveys Progress and Setbacks in the Struggle Against Exclusionary Zoning
Eli Kahn and Salim Furth provide overview of developments in the states, and lessons that can be learned.
Ending Poverty Requires Serious Policy, Not Political Platitudes
Another exercise in nonsense by state lawmakers in California.
The Democratic Governor Who Wants Drug Legalization and Free Markets
"Government in general does a lot of things that aren't necessary," says Jared Polis.
Minnesota Caretaker Gets Lifetime Ban for Crime She Didn't Commit
Even if background check applicants are guilty of wrongdoing, imposing lifetime bans on gainful employment is not a good policy.
ACLU-Backed Complaint Says Not Renting to People With Past Evictions Is Illegal Race, Sex Discrimination
HOPE Fair Housing Center argues in a new federal complaint that an Illinois landlord's blanket refusal to rent to people with eviction records amounts to illegal sex and race discrimination.
Should the U.S. Have Free Immigration?
The Cato Institute's Alex Nowrasteh and attorney Francis Menton debate immigration policy.
Anarchy in Central Park
New York politicians got out of the way for once, and something beautiful happened.
Taiwanese Company Demands U.S. Taxpayers Cover the Higher Costs of Making Semiconductors in Arizona
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company cites regulatory costs and a lack of skilled workers as specific impediments. Biden and Congress can fix those without giving out billions of taxpayer dollars.
Cross-Ideological Common Ground on Exclusionary Zoning
Policy analyst Justin Hayes summarizes the reasons why conservatives, progressives, and libertarians all have reason to support zoning reform.
New Federal Merger Guidelines Hint: Maybe Just Don't Merge Anything at All
Plus: Authors demand compensation from A.I. systems, IRS whistleblowers speak out about Hunter Biden investigation, and more...
