Platte Institute Nominated for International Freedom Award
The Platte Institute has been named one of the six finalists for the Atlas Network's 2019 Templeton Freedom Award.
The Atlas Network is a global network of free market policy organizations.
Think tanks from all over the world are considered for the award, which recognizes "the most exceptional and innovative contributions to the understanding of free enterprise, and the public policies that encourage prosperity, innovation and human fulfillment via free competition."
The Platte Institute has been nominated in recognition of its campaign for job licensing reform in Nebraska.
“Platte Institute's commendable work has cleared the way for untold numbers of Nebraskans whose pursuit of an honest living had been inhibited by licensing restrictions,” said Atlas Network CEO Brad Lips. “Now their success in Nebraska is having ripple effects far beyond state lines.”
In 2018, the Nebraska Legislature adopted the Occupational Board Reform Act, a comprehensive review of all state job licensing laws. The legislation was called a model for licensing reform by the Wall Street Journal editorial board.
“Being nominated for the Templeton Freedom Award is a great honor for the Platte Institute team, but it would not have been possible without the hard work of so many Nebraskans who put their differences aside to advance the right to make an honest living,” said Jim Vokal, Chief Executive Officer of the Platte Institute.
“Nebraskans should be proud that their state is being recognized as a leader in the movement to reform excessive occupational licensing laws.”
The five other finalists are:
- Centre For Development and Enterprises Great Lakes, based in Bujumbura, Burundi; for their “Birashoboka” project.
- Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc., based in Quezon City, Philippines; for their work to deliver property rights to landowners.
- Lebanese Institute for Market Studies, based in Amsheet, Lebanon; for their work to liberalize the electricity market in Lebanon.
- Pacific Legal Foundation, based in Sacramento, California, United States; for their litigation work to roll back unconstitutional regulation.
- Reason Foundation, based in Los Angeles, California, United States; for their work to advance public pension reform.
The winner of the 2019 Templeton Freedom Award will be announced in November in New York City.