Taxicabs, the NLRB, and Cost-Justifying Regulations

Today in the News

Taxicabs

D.C. councilmen are again considering a taxicab medallion system.

Policy Analyst Marc Scribner criticizes the plan.

“It is no surprise that the politicians leading the charge in this case represent northeast and southeast Washington, areas where it is not very easy to find cabs — especially at night. But this bill will not make it easier to find cabs. It will do the exact opposite, and benefit wealthy cab company owners (and their bought-off politicians) who would be thrilled for medallions to trade at New York City prices. After all, this bill proposes to cut the number of licensed cabs from over 8,000 to no more than 4,000 without any efficiency-enhancing infrastructure improvements.”

 

NLRB

The National Labor Relations Board has filed suits in Arizona and South Dakota over legislation protecting secret ballots.

Research Associate Trey Kovacs responds.

“Though some Americans may argue for increased government intervention, the recent encroachment by the NLRB on the right to a secret ballot election has taken the majority of Americans by surprise. Big Labor first attempted to do away with the secret ballot election in Congress by proposing the Employee Free Choice Act. Failure of EFCA has not deterred the efforts of Big Labor and the Obama administration from using unelected officials of government agencies to limit worker freedom.”

 

Cost-Justifying Regulations

Today the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law will hold a hearing on “Cost-Justifying Regulations: Protecting Jobs and the Economy by Presidential and Judicial Review of Costs and Benefits.”

Vice President Wayne Crews issued a statement on the hearing.

“Whatever this hearing’s conclusion, regulations need more official scrutiny, transparency and accountability from Congress, including votes on economically significant rules before they become binding. Congress should also implement a Regulatory Reduction Commission and explore regulatory cost ‘budgeting.'”