The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update

Issues in the News

1. ENVIRONMENT

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs a bill to put mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions in California.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Senior Fellow Marlo Lewis on the state’s previous plan for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles:

“The California Air Resources Board cannot achieve ‘maximum feasible’ greenhouse gas reductions from automobiles without poaching on federally preempted policy terrain. It cannot achieve ‘cost effective’ reductions with any set of regulatory tools. CARB should brief Governor Schwarzenegger and the California legislature on the practical and legal impossibility of accomplishing the law’s objectives, and about the adverse safety effects of greenhouse gas emission standards.”  

2. TELEVISION

The Federal Communications Commission reconsiders its decision to fine broadcasters for indecency violations.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Technology Analyst Peter Suderman on the legislative fight over allegedly indecent content on cable TV:

“[Earlier this year] FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced renewed interest in so-called ‘a la carte’ regulations. These would mandate cable companies offer television on a per-channel or themed-tier basis. Promoted as a way to expand consumer choice while giving parents a tool to fight indecency, the idea is a flight of regulatory fancy that creates significant problems for consumers while ignoring the real progress that has already come from market developments.”

3. FINANCE

Congress pressures Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson for reform of government-backed housing lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: President Fred L. Smith, Jr. testifies before the House Banking Committee on the need for changes at Fannie and Freddie:

“Clearly Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were created for ‘good’ purposes – now the issue is whether the special privileges they’ve been granted, specifically their implicit government ‘insurance’ policy, act to distort and destabilize the marketplace.”  

Blog feature: For more news and analysis, updated throughout the day, visit CEI Open Market.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To contact a CEI expert for comment or interviews, please call the CEI communications department at 202-331-2273 or email to [email protected].