The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” />
1. INTERNET
The House is on its way to again passing an anti-spyware bill, a plan that proposes jail time for malicious, spyware-related activities. A House subcommittee approved the bill on Tuesday.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: CEI Director of Technology Studies Clyde Wayne Crews on the problem with over-regulating technology: <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = U1 />
“Existing laws adequately address any misuse of software resulting in fraud or other deceptive acts. The Federal Trade Commission is already on record that specific spyware legislation is unnecessary. Congress should allow the combination of technological innovation, consumer education, and the enforcement of existing laws to progress.”
2. ENERGY
A Senate committee is scheduled to markup comprehensive global warming legislation today, to include: a huge new mandate for alternative vehicle fuels; expanded energy efficiency mandates; and mandatory renewable fuels requirements for electric utilities. CEI Expert Available to Comment: Director of Energy & Global Warming Policy, Myron Ebell on how these government mandates will jack up food and electricity prices and hurt <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />U.S. trade. View Ebell on CNBC commenting on carbon offsets and “green” power.
3. TOBACCO
A new bill in Congress would put the FDA in charge of regulating tobacco. Markup is scheduled for mid-May.
CEI Expert Available to Comment General Counsel Sam Kazman on why FDA is ill-prepared to take on tobacco. See Kazman's comments on the cons of FDA regulation.
Blog feature: For more news and analysis, updated throughout the day, visit CEI’s blog, Open Market.