Policy
Deregulation of Local Foods Is a Winning Idea That's Spreading
New bills in Montana and California would make it easier for small food entrepreneurs to thrive and for consumers to have more choices.
How Two Florida Hospitals Used the Power of the State to Stop Another From Being Built
New report from Watchdog reveals how Florida's Certificate of Necessity laws limit competition and access to care.
Absurd State Licensing Rules Could Send a Woman To Jail Just for Touching a Horse
Of course. State board says she has to go to veterinary school to learn something she already knows and the schools don't teach.
Cosmetology Board's Investigation of Free, Unlicensed Haircuts Is 'Outrageous,' Governor Says
"I find this outrageous, and I call on you to end your investigation," wrote Gov. Doug Ducey to the haircut police at the Arizona Board of Cosmetology.
Cosmetology Board Investigates Student for Giving Free Haircuts to Homeless People
Juan Carlos Montesdeoca thought he was doing an act of charity, but in the eyes of the State Board of Cosmetology, he was putting people in "real risk."
When the Hotel Industry Places a Hit on Airbnb, Politicians Happily Take the Contract
Government is a weapon old industries use to squeeze out entrepreneurs.
Pro-Pot Student Group Wins 1A Fight With Meddling School Admins, State GOP
Court says Iowa State University discriminated against student marijuana-policy group based on "political pushback."
Horse Masseuses on the Loose: Three Women Take Down Arizona's Anticompetitive Animal Massage Law
Arizona licensing board finally backs down from an expensive, unnecessary mandate that nearly forced three women to give up their careers as animal masseuses.
This Indiana Town Wants to Fine a Community Out of Existence on Behalf of Private Developers
Charlestown can't seize the properties, so it's citing them to force them to sell.
Carbon Dividends: Solve Man-Made Climate Change While Shrinking Government?
Carbon tax and dividend plan would eliminate all EPA carbon regulations, all clean energy subsidies, and all energy efficiency standards.
Trump, House Republicans Target EPA, Energy, Interior for Regulatory Cuts
Trump plans to use executive orders to hack away at federal regulations, but he'll need congressional help to make lasting reforms.
Trump Cabinet Picks Acknowledge Man-Made Climate Change: New at Reason
They seek climate policies that won't 'compromise economic growth, the affordability of energy, or American jobs'
Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act Is Not Necessarily Anti-Science
Congress should take responsibility for making the rules that affect health, safety, and livelihoods of Americans
SCOTUS Seems Inclined to Nix the Ban on 'Disparaging' Trademarks
The government struggles to justify the rule that stopped The Slants from registering the name of their band.
Offensive Trademarks Are Free Speech
The Supreme Court should overturn the federal ban on registration of "disparaging" trademarks.
Why Aren't More Americans Moving?
People used to chase economic opportunity across the country. Then the government got in the way.
More Americans Are Stuck In Place: New at Reason
Unintended consequences of local and state policies are a huge barrier to mobility.
Hundreds of Known 'Bad Cops' Are Still on the Job, According to New Report
Almost 10 percent of police officers charged with crimes are still working in law enforcement, new report from Wall Street Journal finds.
New Year's Resolution Wish List for Reforming Big Government
Repeal Obamacare, deregulate, and drain the swamp.
An Omaha Woman Took Her Business to Iowa Because of Nebraska's Licensing Laws
Unwilling to spend the money for a massage therapist license in Nebraska, Ilona Holland took her business across the bridge to Iowa.
This LA Musician Built $1,200 Tiny Houses for the Homeless
Elvis Summers crowdfunded $100,000 to build dozens of tiny homes. City officials looking to pass a $2 billion housing plan tried to shut him down.
Army Corps of Engineers Halts Work on Dakota Access Pipeline
Standing Rock protesters succeed in blocking Bakken oil pipeline route
Licensing Isn't Necessary To Protect People From Incompetent, Untrained, or Fraudulent Professionals
Sign language interpreters say licensing is needed to protect deaf people from scammers, but there's no evidence of a market failure.
Eminent Domain Critic, Ayn Rand Superfan, Former Cato CEO John Allison Could Run Trump's Treasury
Allison wants to repeal all Dodd-Frank regulations, which didn't fix the problem of banks being "too big to fail."
Trump Will 'Keep an Open Mind' About the Paris Climate Change Agreement
So says the president-elect in an interview this afternoon with the New York Times.
Sign Language Interpreter Licenses and Wisconsin's Other Costly, Pointless Permission Slips
Wisconsin Republicans pledge to reform occupational licensing, which hits residents of the state with nearly $2 billion annually in hidden costs.
Trump Regulatory Rollback: Auto Fuel Efficiency Standards
Activists howl in outrage and frustration
Newark Considers Crackdown on Giving Food to the Homeless
Not fair to homeless that their food isn't "scrutinized," one councilman explained.
Bureaucracy, Funding No Cure for Homeless Problem
At the minimum, county officials should look at government rules that exacerbate the suffering.
Points For Honesty: Pool Contractors Want to be Licensed so They Can Charge Higher Prices
This is how regulatory capture works: Trade association would get majority control of new licensing board.
The System is Rigged: Licensing Limits the Pursuit of Happiness
Onerous licensing laws make it harder for people to move from place to place. And less residential mobility means less economic mobility.
Lucasfilm Suing Lightsaber Academy, The New York Jedi for Star Wars Trademark Infringements
May the govt force be with you.
Don't Blame AirBnb For New York City's High Rents
High rents have been a problem a lot longer then Airbnb has existed.
Tennessee Cosmetology Board Admits it Doesn't Have Authority To Regulate Tech Companies
Board backs down from "unlawful" and "overzealous" effort to shut down Nashville-based company that connects beauticians with customers.
Yes In My Backyard
San Francisco activists push for more construction in Baghdad by the Bay.
Tennessee's Cosmetology Board Thinks It Can Regulate a Software Company
Project Belle connects customers with licensed cosmetologists. Competitors have asked state regulators to shut it down.
Clinton Suggests Paying States and Cities to Fix Bad Licensing Laws
What Hillary Clinton gets right (and what she gets wrong) about occupational licensing and the need for reform
Federal Judge Upholds Ban on Unlicensed African Hair-Braiding, Says Courts Must Show 'Great Deference' to Government Regulations
"This case illustrates the great deference that federal courts must show to government regulations," claims judge.
Local Government Told Girl She Needed $3,500 for Lemonade Stand Permit. The Internet Helped Her Get It
Her story has a happy ending, but the regulations that nearly shut down her lemonade stand have serious consequences for other businesses.
How Reforming Licensing Laws Can Help Fix America's Dentist Shortage
More states should follow Minnesota's lead by legalizing mid-level dental professionals.