Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis
Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis
The COVID-19 emergency response requires state policymakers to focus on the essential and conduct their business with transparency.
COVID-19 shows importance of planning ahead
COVID-19 shows importance of planning ahead
The last week or so has been something of a whirlwind here in Nebraska, as cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) started to show up. Events have been canceled, schools have closed, state basketball tournaments have been modified to have no meaningful fan presence, colleges have moved toward remote classes, and some businesses have closed down temporarily....
Universal Recognition and Labor Competition
Universal Recognition and Labor Competition
I noted last week that recent research by the Goldwater Institute suggests that universal recognition enacted in Arizona was showing significant benefits for both the state's labor market and for workers seeking to continue to practice their occupation in a new location. A new policy report from Arizona State's Center for the Study of Economic...
Red Lights, Free Speech and Occupational Licensing
Red Lights, Free Speech and Occupational Licensing
Here’s an interesting story about the silliness of some occupational licensing boards. A man trained in electrical engineering, questions the formulas used for timing red lights in Oregon, after his wife gets a ticket for moving through the intersection to make a right turn on a yellow (the light turned red while she was turning)....
News from Arizona: Universal Recognition Works
News from Arizona: Universal Recognition Works
Universal Recognition for occupational licensing burst onto the scene almost a year ago when Arizona enacted its "universal recognition" bill last April. Pennsylvania became the second state to enact universal recognition in late July of 2019. This year, more than a dozen states, including Nebraska, saw legislation introduced (although none passed yet) which would create...
Field of (Broken) Dreams?
Field of (Broken) Dreams?
A recent analysis by the Archbridge Institute found that in neighboring Iowa, occupational licensing requirements added between 1993 and 2012 was associated with a 4.7% reduction in economic mobility and a 10.9% increase in income inequality. Growth in occupational licensing is associated with fewer opportunities for workers to earn more than their parents and a...
30 Days to Go
30 Days to Go
Today (Tuesday, February 25) marks Day 30 of Nebraska's 60-day legislative session this year. Halfway there. In reality, probably a little over halfway, because Speaker Scheer has typically tried to close the session out between days 57 and 59. If you look at the Legislative Calendar found here, you'll see that Day 59 falls on...
Imagine There’s No License
Imagine There’s No License
Sometimes, circumstances remind me of songs, and the John Lennon song "Imagine" came to mind as I was reading the articles I link to below. This article popped up in my Google alerts yesterday. It appears that a couple of legislators in Tennessee have decided to float a very bold idea: Tennessee lawmakers introduced two...
Protectionism and the Licensing of Occupations
Protectionism and the Licensing of Occupations
On Thursday, I testified on two bills before the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee of the Nebraska Legislature. The first one I testified on was Senator Andrew La Grone's (LD49) LB1187, which would provide for "universal recognition" of occupational licenses of people who move to Nebraska from other states. A nice write up of...
Occupational protectionism hurts workers
Occupational protectionism hurts workers
It’s been an interesting couple of weeks in Nebraska on the occupational licensing front. Yesterday was particularly interesting. My colleague, Laura Ebke, testified yesterday in support of LB1187 introduced by Sen. Andrew LaGrone to allow for universal recognition of occupational licenses held in good standing in other states for individuals coming to Nebraska to...
Legislative Testimony for LB1068: Adopt the Interior Design Voluntary Registration Act
Legislative Testimony for LB1068: Adopt the Interior Design Voluntary Registration Act
Legislative testimony in support of LB1068.
Testimony for LB1187: Change provisions relating to the Occupational Board Reform Act
Testimony for LB1187: Change provisions relating to the Occupational Board Reform Act
Testimony in support of LB1187.
Lifting Americans From Poverty Through Licensing Reform
Lifting Americans From Poverty Through Licensing Reform
This op-ed, posted recently in The Hill, suggests that licensing is not just about reducing “red tape”–it’s also about giving people real opportunities to lift themselves from poverty. Licensing laws are barriers that can put your dreams on hold for years. They also make us less safe. Individuals who have made mistakes in the past,...
Omaha World-Herald Editorial: Licensing Reform Expands Opportunity
Omaha World-Herald Editorial: Licensing Reform Expands Opportunity
Read the Omaha World-Herald's latest editorial on the Platte Institute's licensing reform efforts.