Regulation
An Inhospitable Tax Increase
Another day, another tax. The newest plan to fill a $2.2 billion budget hole includes a 5 percent increase to the hotel tax, along with a new tax on fireworks and third-party online…
Media
Read More: An Inhospitable Tax IncreaseState Budget
Doubling Down on Tax Increases
Bucking calls to responsibly balance the budget, the state Senate passed a plan to borrow more than $1.2 billion and raise taxes by more than $570 million. The total tax…
Media
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Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?
After his friend was killed by a drunk driver, Illinois resident Jonathon Schoenakase began to offer bar patrons a free ride home. Although he never charged for this service, Schoenakase…
Commentary
Read More: Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?Public Union Democracy
Union Intimidation in Action
Unions claim they won’t use intimidation as one of their tactics if the Employee Free Choice Act, a.k.a. “Card Check” is passed, eliminating the secret ballot in union elections. But…
Media
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Which is more destructive – high taxes or occupational licensing
“Joe the Plumber” has made lots of headlines – since he put the screws to Barack Obama about how Obama’s tax increases might affect him – but this…
Media
Read More: Which is more destructive – high taxes or occupational licensingRegulation
Don’t know much about history?
In another example of professional licensing run amok,…
Media
Read More: Don’t know much about history?Regulation
Professional licensing and the Italian Stallion
In light of recent news about state licensing boards going after eBay sellers and our discussion of professional licensing boards in Government on a Diet, here are some…
Media
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Pennsylvania takes on online auctions
Philadelphia Inquirer story on the state’s pursuit of eBay sellers with no auctioneer’s license. As we pointed out on this issue before, eBay’s seller rating do a better…
Media
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EBay sellers pushed to get auctioneer licenses
In an absurd extension of state power, the Board of Auctioneer Examiners in the State Department is trying to shut down EBay sellers (those selling on behalf on others). See…
Media
Read More: EBay sellers pushed to get auctioneer licenses