Natural Disasters
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?
Border Patrol Will Keep Checkpoints Open During Hurricane Harvey
Because the important thing during a hurricane is making sure evacuees aren't undocumented immigrants.
Salvation Will Have You Hoping for the World's End
CBS show is disposable summer television at its worst.
Disasters Should Be Dull
But as long as distant authorities are in charge, that's impossible.
Airbnb Helps Flooding Victims and Volunteers While Louisiana State Rep Wants More Red Tape
If the government can't do disaster recovery as well as the private sector, could it at least not make things any harder?
Rebuilding After Louisiana Floods Will Require Government Permission Slips
And new federal regulations could add to the cost of rebuilding or force some residents to abandon their homes.
Nepal's Earthquake: How Not to Rebuild a Nation
In an environment of poverty and corruption, rigorous building codes do more harm than good
How the Government Subsidizes Unsustainable Development
'The rest of us are assuming all of the risks.'
Did the Red Cross Let Its Fear of the Occupy Movement Interfere with Its Disaster Relief?
An exposé from ProPublica suggests it did.
Foreign Aid Is a Failure
Throwing good money at bad governments makes poor countries worse off.
Government Agencies Use Their Power to Bolster Their Own Budgets
A northern California legal case involving state and federal efforts to secure a massive financial settlement from the state's largest land owner is rife with allegations of fraud, corruption, and official misconduct
Waste, Bureaucracy, and PR Stunts: The Case of the Red Cross
When centralization meets disaster relief.
Gov. Brown Plans $687 Million for Calif. Drought
But doesn't address fixes to distribution system
Gov. Cuomo Declares State of Emergency for New York Storms
Some areas expecting more than a foot of snow
Feds Investigating Chris Christie for Spending Federal Post-Sandy Marketing Aid on Tourism Ad That Featured Him and His Family
Feds gave NJ a waiver to spend $25 million in aid on a tourism ad campaign