CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News
1. Congress
The House of Representatives takes up major energy legislation.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Director of Energy Policy Myron Ebell on the anti-energy
provisions being considered:
The mandate for alternative fuels – mostly ethanol made from corn – is an odd choice for an energy reform package, particularly at a time when many House members are complaining about the impact of high gas prices on consumers. What is being proposed will raise auto fuel prices significantly. Rather than blaming oil companies, Members of Congress should start looking at the government policies they are proposing that would make energy from all sources more expensive.
2. Legal
The Supreme Court tightens rules on class action lawsuits brought by shareholders against public companies.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Center for Entrepreneurship Director John Berlau on the impact of the ruling:
This ruling will prevent reams of frivolous lawsuits that drive up costs for honest entrepreneurs and prevent them from delivering a better return for shareholders. Plaintiffs lawyers may be disappointed, but investors concerned about their 401(k)s and other holdings should cheer.
3. Labor
The Senate rejects a bill that would have subverted secret ballot elections conducted during union organizing campaigns.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Editorial Director Ivan Osorio on the need to remain vigilant:
While the preservation of the secret ballot in organizing is good news for workers, union bosses aren’t about to roll over. They’ll be back to try to get future Congresses to pass a similar bill. With private sector union membership in steep decline, they hope to rope more workers into unions through card check, under which a union needs only to get over 50 percent of workers at a workplace to sign union cards to become recognized as monopoly bargaining agent for those workers.
Blog feature: For more news and analysis, updated throughout the day, visit CEI’s blog, Open Market.
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