The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update

1. CONSTITUTIONAL & LEGAL

CEI launches a lawsuit challenging the government-sponsored tobacco cartel created by the 1998 multi-state tobacco settlement.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Read the complaint filed yesterday in federal district court by General Counsel Sam Kazman and Special Projects Counsel Hans Bader.

2. CHEMICAL RISK

Proposed new regulations on chemical manufacturers by the European Union (known by the acronym “REACH”) spark fears that thousands of jobs might be lost because of additional testing costs.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Director of Risk & Environmental Policy Angela Logomasini and Adjunct Fellow Dr. Henry I. Miller on the problems with the REACH regulations and how to make more rational assessments of risk.

3. INTERNET

Voice over IP provider Vonage moves to bypass the facilities of cable and telecommunications competitors and bring its service directly to small businesses.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Technology Counsel Braden Cox on the need to keep legacy regulations from traditional telecom services off the backs of new technologies like voice and video over IP.

4. PROPERTY RIGHTS

The city of San Diego, emboldened by a recent Supreme Court decision, moves to confiscate land from property owners for economic development.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Special Projects Counsel Hans Bader on how property rights yielded to the interests of corporate welfare in the eminent domain case Kelo v. City of New London.

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].