Reason Foundation

Recent Research and Commentary

Maryland Passes Unprecedented (and Unnecessary?) Digital Labor Law

April 11, 2012, 6:33pm

Harris Kenny

Maryland legislators just passed an unprecedented digital labor law in Senate Bill 433. The bill would prevent employers from asking for passwords to websites such as Facebook and Twitter. While other states like California and Illinois are exploring similar legislation, Maryland appears likely to be the first to move. However despite its popularity, this legislation may not be necessary after all.

California Barking Up the Wrong Tree with Pet Groomer Licensing Bill

March 1, 2012

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.

California is Barking Up the Wrong Tree with Pet Groomer Licensing Bill

February 27, 2012, 2:10pm

Adam Summers

A proposed bill in California would require state licensing for pet groomers. This will not do anything to improve the quality of pet grooming services—the supposed rationale behind the bill—but it will increase the cost of grooming services, reduce competition and consumer choice, and, because of the high costs of fees and compliance with state regulations, deny gainful employment to many who would otherwise be competent groomers and entrepreneurs.

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.

Will States Toast Liquor Privatization in 2012?

Reviewing the landscape for divesting state alcohol monopolies

February 3, 2012

Leonard Gilroy

Despite the end of Prohibition many decades ago, taxpayers and consumers in over a dozen states today still rely on outdated state bureaucracies that retain monopoly control over the sale and/or distribution of distilled spirits (liquor). Not only is it difficult to justify government-run liquor enterprises as a core function of government—they clearly aren’t, since most states don’t have them—but worse, these systems tend to act like the monopolies they are by limiting product choice and making liquor more expensive and less convenient for consumers. However, recent moves by Washington State and Ohio to privatize their liquor monopolies may be upsetting the apple cart and setting the stage for additional states to follow suit.

Freedom of Speech on the Internet is the 'Paramount Concern'

January 31, 2012, 12:19pm

Steven Titch

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