From the Cholera Riots to the Coronavirus Revolts
The more punitive the approach to public health, the fiercer the backlash.
Natural Disasters
Why the Government Is No Good at Fighting Coronavirus
The problems with the federal response to COVID-19 go far beyond Donald Trump and deep into bureaucratic inertia.
COVID-19: A National Problem With Local Solutions
Also: Chelsea Manning finally freed, coronavirus appropriations, and more...
To Avoid Charges of Price Gouging, eBay Bans Sale of Coronavirus Supplies
Attempts to impose low prices on emergency supplies often do far more harm than good.
Boat Company and Border Officials Tell Different Stories About Rejection of Dorian-Displaced Bahamians
Plus: Support for Sanders and Harris drops, Trump fears losing his fans to socialists, and more...
How 'Price Gouging' Can Help Floridians in Hurricane Dorian's Path
High prices can bring much-needed supplies into a disaster zone.
California Follows the Disastrous Flood Insurance Path to Fire Insurance Fiasco
If market-rate wildfire insurance is too expensive for homeowners, maybe that's telling us something about the risks of living amidst pretty tinder.
As Tropical Storm Barry Approaches, the GAO Highlights FEMA's Past Failings
Unclear and contradictory procedure guidelines slowed down relief efforts in Puerto Rico in 2017. Will it happen again this year? Probably.
Thomas Massie Catches Bipartisan Flak for Suggesting Congress Actually Vote on $19 Billion in Disaster Funding
Demanding that members of Congress be in town to vote on spending huge sums of money seems reasonable.
Congress Bickers Over Spending $13 or $14 Billion on Disaster Relief. They Should Spend Closer to $0.
The squabbling over federal disaster assistance reveals the bipartisan nature of wasteful spending.
The Jones Act Is an Antiquated, Protectionist Policy Failure. Mike Lee Is Aiming to Kill It.
The Utah senator wants a world where "Alaskans, Hawaiians, and Puerto Ricans aren't forced to pay higher prices for imported goods."
'Price Gouging' Is Supply and Demand at Work, Even in a Polar Vortex
Price signals ultimately mean more supplies for disaster-struck areas.
Natural Disasters Are Destroying a Lower Percentage of Humanity's Stuff Since 1990
Absolute losses increased, but the proportion of losses relative to global GDP has dropped
Community and Technology—Not Government—Take Lead in Hurricane Michael Recovery
A report from Florida's ravaged Panhandle.
State AGs in Michael's Path Agree to Stop the Flow of Needed Goods
Price gouging is not the evil many officials make it out to be.
North Carolina Woman Won't Be Punished for Sheltering Pets During Florence
But she never should have faced criminal charges in the first place.
Criminal Charges for North Carolina Woman Who Sheltered Pets During Hurricane Florence
Tammie Hedges is facing upward of a dozen charges related to the medical care she freely provided to the animals.
Locals Carry Out Life-Saving Animal Rescues After Hurricane Florence
If you need help during a disaster, look to the locals before the government.
FEMA May Not be Prepared for Hurricane Florence, but Waffle House Is
The "Waffle House Index" shows some differences between the private and public sector when it comes to emergency preparedness.
Tremendous Job: FEMA Left a Million Bottles of Water on a Puerto Rican Airstrip for a Year
But yeah, I'm sure FEMA is ready for Hurricane Florence.
FEMA Is Almost Certainly Not Ready for Hurricane Florence
If FEMA's prior record when it comes to disaster response is any indication, the agency is not going to handle this well.
Senate Votes to Extend Federal Flood Insurance Funding
It's a regressive, debt-ridden program that transfers wealth from regular Americans to the rich.
Study: Puerto Rico's Post-Hurricane Maria Death Rate At Least 70 Times Higher Than Official Figures
Disasters result from policies adopted and choices made before and after a natural hazard strikes.
Displaced by Hurricane Maria, Fully Trained Massage Therapists Can't Work Because They Lack Licenses
Blocked from jobs because they lack occupational licenses, they're turning to welfare instead.
Federal Prohibition Left California Cannabis Farmers Without Insurance or Banks When Wildfires Struck
The cannabis industry has been cut off from access to the banks and insurance companies other businesses can rely on to get them through disasters.
The Whitefish Contract Is a Natural Consequence of FEMA's Mismanagement
Free money and poor oversight sap the incentive of localities to prepare for disasters or respond to them effectively.
Nova Offers an Unusual Environmental Whodunnit Starring Volcanoes
In this documentary murder mystery, the suspects all belch smoke and lava.
Why the Lights Are Still Off in Puerto Rico
The government set the stage for a post-hurricane catastrophe.
Stossel: Hurricane Reconstruction
Is rebuilding after disasters the government's responsibility?
Puerto Rico's Hurricane Recovery Just Got Even More Expensive
DHS ends waiver of protectionist shipping law that drives up costs.
Government Should Get Out of the Way of Disaster Response
Here, as usual, the private sector outperforms the public sector.
Puerto Rico Responds to Disaster Stupidly by Banning Alcohol Sales
Governor's decree makes recovery even harder for bar owners.
Trump Waives Jones Act for Puerto Rico for 10 Days. That's Good, but It's Not Enough.
Congress needs to vote to stop protecting shipping cartel from market competition.
Federal Relief to Puerto Rico Won't Include Waiving Law That Drives up Import Costs
Administration says it will not reduce effects of the anti-free-trade Jones Act.
Hey, Congress: If You Really Want to Help Puerto Rico Recover, Dump the Jones Act
Crony law benefitting U.S. shipping companies will drive up costs, extend hurricane crisis.
Greg Abbott's Fair-Weather Federalism
The Texas governor sells out his supposed principles for billions in federal aid.
Forget Price Gouging: Businesses React Altruistically To Disasters
From Walmart to Uber to AirBnB, businesses should be lauded for their generosity and effectiveness in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.
Trump's Lumber Tariffs Hurt Hurricane Recovery
Protectionism is a losing proposition, especially after a disaster.
Florida's Joe Arpaio Threatens to Imprison Irma Refugees If They Have Warrants
Polk County's hurricane shelters will not be open to all.
To Protect Against the Next Harvey, Forget Zoning and Roll Back Government Meddling Instead
Existing regulations impoverish our cities, and perverse subsidies increase the damage done by catastrophic storms.
No, Flooding in Houston Was Not Caused By a Lack of Zoning Laws
The "development kills" crowd has failed to take into account the very creation of Houston and its long and colorful history of being underwater.
The Private 'Cajun Navy' Shows the Glory, and Necessity, of Private Disaster Aid
Hurricane Harvey has made a life-threatening mess too serious to rely on just government-managed aid.
Out of the Way, Texas, Federal Hurricane Rescue Is Coming
If history is any indicator, it's going to be a long and very expensive siege.
7 Things Donald Trump Shouldn't Do After Hurricane Harvey
The federal government is awful at handling disasters. Can we try not to screw it up this time?
