Reason Foundation

Recent Research and Commentary

California Bill Proposes Licensing for Pet Groomers

February 3, 2012, 5:14pm

Adam Summers

It appears that California truly has gone to the dogs. The state is facing a $9.2 billion budget deficit, a $10 billion unemployment insurance fund deficit, and unfunded pension obligations in the range of $400 billion to $500 billion, yet the busybodies in the state legislature are seeking to add another occupation to the long list of those burdened by unnecessary state regulation: pet grooming.

The Social Cost of Taxi Regulation: $1 million Per License

October 20, 2011, 9:24pm

Samuel Staley

The New York Taxi and Limousine Commission has manipulated the taxi market to create faux wealth of $13 billion solely because of their willingness to restrict the supply of taxis.

Colorado Public Utilities Commission Dabbling in Taxicab Regulatory Reform

August 11, 2011, 7:53pm

Harris Kenny

Yesterday Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) implemented recent legislature-initiated taxicab regulatory reform. Legislators should be recognized for their efforts to reform the PUC, however PUC officials are essentially dabbling in reform. Yesterday's changes don't merit further evaluation because Colorado needs a significantly more robust reform effort.

New York City Regs Strangling Street Food Vendors

June 19, 2011, 1:46pm

Samuel Staley

Michael Moynihan exposes the draconian and anticompetitive regulations of street-food vendors in New York City.

The Cancer of Government Regulation

How occupational licensing laws hurt the poor

June 9, 2011

John Stossel

Politicians care about poor people. We know because they always say that. But then why do they make it so hard for the poor to escape poverty? As John Stossel explains in his latest column, by passing and supporting occupational licensing schemes for taxis, hair braiding, and other harmless professions, politicians keep poor people out of business.

Political Hacks

How taxi licensing drives up costs while enriching special interests

May 31, 2011

A. Barton Hinkle

Suppose you’re the owner of a taxicab company in a largish metropolitan area. One day you notice some taxis tooling around town—and they’re not yours. They belong to an upstart competitor. His cars are newer, his drivers are nicer, and his fares are lower. Pretty soon your profits start shrinking. What are you going to do about it?

This story has played out in many cities across the United States. And as A. Barton Hinkle reports, taxi owners typically seek a political solution. They invest a little money in a few politicians, who adopt a medallion law: Only licensed operators with city-issued taxi medallions may operate cabs. The oldest cab companies get first dibs on the medallions, at the lowest rates. Only a few medallions are left over for the new guy, and he can’t afford them anyway. Bingo—your competition problem is solved. The customers might not like it, Hinkle notes, but what are they going to do—walk?

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