1. CONGRESS

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) introduces comprehensive immigration
reform legislation.

CEI Expert Available
to Comment: Policy Analyst Alex
Nowrasteh on the pros
and cons of the bill:

“Easing immigration to the U.S. would be
an enormous benefit to our economy. Immigrants, especially the highly skilled,
create jobs and economic opportunities for Americans. This bill takes a
small step in the right direction by increasing the number of H-1B and other
work visas, but it has a few major flaws. It takes a giant step backwards by
mandating an E-Verify system for all employees. The goal of government
policy during a recession should be to increase economic growth and deregulate
labor markets, but E-Verify will do the opposite.”

2. LEGAL

The Colorado Supreme Court upholds a ban on smoking in stage
performances.

CEI Expert Available
to Comment: Policy Analyst Michelle
Minton defends the right
of free expression:

“If free speech advocates want to
have any hope of defending their rights they will have to answer the
fundamental claim: can individual rights be set aside for the ‘public good’ or
not? If the answer is ‘no’ then it is unconditional. The courts can’t kind
of hamper free speech by forcing stage producers to use fake
cigarettes–it’s an outright violation of rights. If advocates give bureaucrats
that ground it gives them the ground to legislate any number of artistic
choices (the music is offensive, the lights aren’t environmentally friendly,
the costumes are to salacious). Under no circumstances should the government be
able to extinguish the unconditional right of individuals to express themselves.”

3. BUSINESS

The battle over the Sarbanes-Oxley
corporate accounting law heats up.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Director of the
Center for Investors and Entrepreneurs John Berlau on the effects of “Sarbox”:

“Substantial evidence shows that the law, which was intended
to protect investors from corporate abuses, is hindering honest firms’ ability
to raise capital and the average investor’s capacity to grow wealth. Enacted
after major corporate scandals, the law increases penalties for fraud, but it
also contains many mandates that unduly restrict legitimate entrepreneurs.”

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