Policy
The Scoop on 'Frozen Dessert' Licenses
You got a permit for that ice cream machine?
After Challenging Red Light Cameras, Oregon Man Fined $500 for Practicing Engineering Without a License
"Anyone should be allowed to talk about the traffic signals without being penalized," says Mats Järlström. He's suing the board.
Tennessee Reins In Horse Massage Licensing Laws
Bill approved without a single "neigh," but lawmakers call "woah" on full repeal and plan to trot out new rules next year.
The Commission on Presidential Debate's 15 Percent Polling Criterion Must Go, Argues Lawsuit from Gary Johnson
A hearing in Johnson's case was held today in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, insisting that the Debate Commission in collusion with the major parties are violating antitrust law when it comes to "political markets."
Maryland Decriminalizes Unlicensed Barbering; Jacks Up Fines for Unlicensed Barbering
The state won't throw people in jail for cutting hair without a state-issued permission slip, but it's only a marginal step forward.
Seizing Private Property in the Trump Era
A new film dramatizes the landmark Supreme Court decision on eminent domain.
How Protectionism Shields United Airlines From Competition
Wanna stick it to the unfriendly skies? Let Richard Branson and other foreigners compete inside the U.S.
Idaho Governor Flips Off Libertarians With Both Hands, Vetoes Asset Forfeiture AND Licensing Reforms
Is he trying to make libertarians angry, or is he just a puppet of special interests?
Arizona's Governor to Licensing Boards: What Is It That You Do?
More than two dozen licensing boards have until June to give him an answer.
A Baby Dies in Virginia
The lethal consequences of a common, obscure hospital licensing law
D.C. Implements Oppressive Licensing for Child Care Workers at Behest of Early Education Advocates
Don't have at least an associate's degree? Step away from the finger paints, you monster.
Georgia Legislature Weakens Eminent Domain Protections
Governments in Georgia will be allowed to seize property for "economic development" purposes, undoing reforms passed in 2006 after the Kelo ruling.
This Mississippi Bill Could Be the Beginning of the End of Occupational Licensing Cartels
New measure would give executive branch officials greater oversight over licensing laws, preventing boards from creating unaccountable, anti-competitive rules.
Turns Out Congressional Republicans Don't Really Want to Cut Spending
GOP politicians admit that President Trump's draconian cuts to the regulatory state aren't going to happen.
Occupational Licensing Reform Gains an Unlikely Boost from the FTC
In the fight for economic freedom, entrepreneurs and consumers get new support against self-serving interests.
Relax: Gutting the EPA Won't Make Your Air Dirtier and Water More Polluted
There have been diminishing returns to federal pollution regulation for a long time
Trump Budget Cuts: Real or 'Reality' Show?
The Trump "budget cuts" are best understood as a kind of theater or performance art.
Why Occupational Licensing is a Due Process Issue
GMU law scholar David Bernstein on how liberal and conservative judges can find common ground by embracing the right to pursue work.
Scott Gottlieb: Trump's Nominee for Food and Drug Administration Commissioner
Understands how over-regulation is slowing down innovation in medicines and foods
New FTC Task Force Will Put Licensing Boards On Notice
Building on a key victory at the Supreme Court in 2015, the FTC plans to target anti-competitive state-level licensing laws.
At SXSW, Mark Cuban Calls Himself a Libertarian 'at Heart,' Wants to Be Convinced to Run for President
Also believes some healthcare should be a basic right written into the Constitution.
The Slants: The Band Who Must Not Be Named
Bassist Simon Tam talks about his band's Supreme Court fight to trademark its controversial name.
Two Women Challenge Tennessee's Horse Massage Licensing Law in Court
Laurie Wheeler and Martha Stowe were threatened with fines and jail time if they didn't get an expensive, unnecessary license.
Even Freed from Regulations, Don't Expect Coal Jobs To Return. Or Factory Jobs, Either.
Some industries die natural deaths and Donald Trump and others shouldn't try to change that.
New York Times Thinks Businesses Are Dogs That Need Pre-emptive Choking From Government
"Leashes come off" corporations, newspaper warns, unwittingly suggesting why Trump's deregulations might have corrective merit.
What Do You Call a Tool to Help Uber Avoid Gov't Stings? A Good Start.
Company used a secret method of getting around regulators trying to shut them down. If only the rest of us were so lucky.
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.
