An Economics Lesson For Bernie Sanders

by Richard Epstein

Defining Ideas

Senator Bernie Sanders’ quixotic presidential campaign received some unexpected attention for an off-the-cuff comment he made in Iowa this past week. The sentence that has raised some eyebrows is short and to the point: “You don’t necessarily need a choice of 23 underarm spray deodorants or of 18 different pairs of sneakers when children are hungry in […]

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The Other Commerce Clause

by Richard Epstein

Defining Ideas

This past week, by a narrow five-to-four decision, the Supreme Court decided the neglected but important case of Comptroller of the Treasury of Maryland v. Wynn. The question in Wynn was: may Maryland give only a partial tax credit to its citizens on out-of-state income that has been already taxed in the state where it […]

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The “Income Inequality” Warriors

by Richard Epstein

Defining Ideas

The critical political struggle of the 2016 presidential election may well be the redistribution of wealth. How that issue plays out is likely to depend on whether it is cast in terms of economic growth or income inequality. If the Republicans successfully push the growth agenda, then the Democrats will be on the defensive. If the Democrats […]

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The Political Economy of Nail Salons

by Richard Epstein

Defining Ideas

The New York Times recently published two wildly celebrated articles by journalist Sarah Maslin Nir. The first article, “The Price of Nice Nails,” describes in painful and accurate detail the trials and tribulations in the manicurist trade in New York City and elsewhere. The second article, “Perfect Nails, Poisoned Workers,” documents the health risks to which manicurists […]

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Baltimore’s Real Police Problem

by Richard Epstein

Defining Ideas

The recent unrest in Baltimore has been dominating the headlines.  But the real story is less about the particulars of the gruesome death of Freddie Gray and more about the set of policies that have increased the odds of such tragedies happening. These policies cover a broad range of issues, from police practices to public education. But […]

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The EPA’s Clean Coal Dust-Up

by Richard Epstein

Defining Ideas

This past week in the Wall Street Journal, Kenneth Hill, the public utility regulator from Tennessee, joined Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell in advocating that states boycott the EPA’s Clean Coal Plan (CPP) under the Clean Air Act of 1990. The plan would require the state to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions so that by 2030 […]

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Illinois and Local Control of Right to Work Laws

by Richard Epstein

Forbes

Right now one of the major issues in labor law is the extent to which individual states will take advantage of the opportunity expressly recognized under Section 14(b) of the National Labor Relations Act to allow its workers to hold their jobs without becoming members of unions or paying union dues. That option, which the […]

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The Problem With NYC’s Landmark Preservation Laws

by Richard Epstein

Defining Ideas

This year, the New York City Landmark Preservation Commission is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with, not surprisingly, a triumphant summation of its many achievements: fostering civic pride, protecting property values, attracting tourists, and strengthening New York’s economy.

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