1. Introduction Over the past decade a number of studies have highlighted the expansion of occupational licensing (“licensing” in the rest of the paper) across several occupations (Kleiner, 2006; Bryson and Kleiner, 2019) discussing, among others, its effects on labor supply, wages, mobility, and the prices of the services provided (White House, 2015; Gittleman and […]
“All people in the U.S. (regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, ethnicity, or immigration status) are guaranteed protection from abuse under the law.” -U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 1. Introduction Almost 2 million individuals were deported between 2009 and 2013 as a consequence of intensified immigration enforcement (Vaughan, 2013). Police testimony, anecdotal reports, and […]
Estimating the Cost Savings The Department estimates that the rule change costs will be $370.9 million in the first year. Savings from the rule change stem from two main sources, savings from increased clarity and reduced litigation costs. Together DOL estimates that the rule change will save $480.8 million every year. The assumptions behind these […]
Introduction: US Radioactive Waste There are currently 98 nuclear power plants in the United States. Electricity from those plants constitutes around one-fifth of all electricity produced. The growing demand for zero-carbon energy sources has been driving up interest in nuclear energy in recent years, but there remain some major hurdles to wide-spread nuclear implementation. One […]
Introduction On November 2, the citizens of Kaysville, Utah, will decide if the municipality will build a new broadband network, often called a government-owned network (“GON”). Citizens and leaders face a tough choice. Putting an Internet service provider (ISP) under the auspices of a local government doesn’t sidestep the endemic issues of cost faced by […]
Introduction Recent technological changes are impacting not only goods and services, but also labor markets in the United States. We find ourselves on the brink of structural changes in labor markets as the traditional relationship between employee and employer is being disrupted and as the applicability of labor regulations that govern these relationships appears to […]
Introduction The two principal goals of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are to protect imperiled species and encourage their recovery. Because habitat loss is the leading cause of species extinction,the statute provides for critical habitat to be designated for listed species. Such designations can encompass any habitat that is “essential for the conservation of the […]
A Clear Process Will Improve Transparency and Trust among Important Stakeholders The primary goal FWS cites for the proposed rule is “to provide greater transparency and certainty for the public and stakeholders” regarding the process by which an area may be excluded from a critical habitat designation. By clarifying the process for excluding areas of […]
Introduction Critical habitat under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA) is one of the most controversial aspects of the law, leading to very polarized views about the utility of the tool for conservation and its socioeconomic effects on landowners. On the one hand, proposals to eliminate or severely curtail critical habitat designations usually ignore the […]
The Proposed Rulemaking Undermines an Open Internet and Is beyond the FCC’s Jurisdiction As a political matter, the problem that the NTIA faces is a vexing one. Section 230 was written cleanly and was intended to keep the government away from interfering in moderation. Speaking on the House floor, Representative Chris Cox said that Section […]
In 1980, there were just 92 beer producers. Today there are 8,386. Researchers have long studied the relationships between regulation and business growth, but less studied are the variations in regulations across states. This working paper uses beer regulations as a case study to understand the complexity of various state regulations.
On August 4, 2020, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively referred to as the Services) proposed a rule to define “habitat” as used in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. Authors Megan Jenkins and Jonathan Wood draw on their expertise and previous research in concluding that the proposed rule is likely to benefit both landowners and endangered species.
In this paper, economist Morgan Raux matches online job postings with applications for H-1B visas.
What would happen if policymakers decided to provide a path to citizenship for all 11 million? What would happen if policymakers decided to deport all 11 million? In this paper, macroeconomist Dr. James Feigenbaum models both of these scenarios.
This policy paper by Adam Michel explores how the U.S. tax code could be reformed to allow gig economy workers greater financial security through Universal Savings Accounts (USAs).
Authors James Feigenbaum and Austin Brooksby examine the effects of different wealth tax proposals on wealth inequality.
In this paper, Yuki Otsu examines the effects of sanctuary policies on city-level crime rates. Using crime data from 1999 to 2010, the study examines 42 cities with formal sanctuary policies.
This essay is part of a symposium on economic recovery after COVID-19. The goal of this symposium is to offer policy solutions that will help the U.S. recover faster and emerge economically stronger than ever.
With the COVID-19 crisis fueling increased calls to create an insular world with fewer immigrants and less trade between countries, we risk both our short-term recovery and long-term economic growth. What should civil society and policymakers do now, or as the medical emergency subsides, to ensure that economies stay open and connected?
With the COVID-19 crisis fueling increased calls to create an insular world with fewer immigrants and less trade between countries, we risk both our short-term recovery and long-term economic growth. What should civil society and policymakers do now, or as the medical emergency subsides, to ensure that economies stay open and connected?
In this paper, Evan Mast examines the effects of these two different election systems on how many building permits cities issue for housing.
This working paper from Anne Hobson examines the process by which user interactions give shape to social order in VRChat, a multiuser VR platform in which users design their own avatars and spaces.
The Center for Growth and Opportunity’s Public Interest Comment on the Federal Aviation Administration proposed rule for noise certification of supersonic airplanes.
With the COVID-19 crisis fueling increased calls to create an insular world with fewer immigrants and less trade between countries, we risk both our short-term recovery and long-term economic growth. What should civil society and policymakers do now, or as the medical emergency subsides, to ensure that economies stay open and connected?
With the COVID-19 crisis fueling increased calls to create an insular world with fewer immigrants and less trade between countries, we risk both our short-term recovery and long-term economic growth. What should civil society and policymakers do now, or as the medical emergency subsides, to ensure that economies stay open and connected?
In this research-in-focus piece, authors Jennifer Morales and Megan Hansen review the existing literature that measures the economic impacts of various types of federal land on nearby communities and provide a framework for research going forward.
Using data over 18 years, the study examines crime rates in Arizona before and after the passage of SB 1070. The study finds that SB 1070 was associated with an increase in the violent crime rate of around 20 percent, after controlling for other relevant factors.
With the COVID-19 crisis fueling increased calls to create an insular world with fewer immigrants and less trade between countries, we risk both our short-term recovery and long-term economic growth. What should civil society and policymakers do now, or as the medical emergency subsides, to ensure that economies stay open and connected?
With the COVID-19 crisis fueling increased calls to create an insular world with fewer immigrants and less trade between countries, we risk both our short-term recovery and long-term economic growth. What should civil society and policymakers do now, or as the medical emergency subsides, to ensure that economies stay open and connected?
With the COVID-19 crisis fueling increased calls to create an insular world with fewer immigrants and less trade between countries, we risk both our short-term recovery and long-term economic growth. What should civil society and policymakers do now, or as the medical emergency subsides, to ensure that economies stay open and connected?