On December 27, 2020, and after threatening a veto, President Donald Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) into law. Despite the headline element of the bill being direct payments of $600, the spending package also contained a bill entitled the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act (POSEC). This bill, hidden on […]
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The Daily Record: Capping Restaurant Delivery Fees is a Bad Idea
With COVID spiking across the U.S., consumers see food delivery as a way to have safe and convenient restaurant meals. Consumers are demanding it, and it has been a lifeline for the restaurant industry. Unfortunately, some localities have proposed increased regulations on third-party delivery platforms. At a time when these services are the easiest means […]
To Prevent Cyberattacks: Bigger is Better
Over the past decade, American consumers have become increasingly concerned about cyberattacks, cybersecurity, and data breaches. Currently, 87% of Americans say cybersecurity should be a priority for policymakers, while only 51% believe the government is doing enough to address the threat. Over the past decade, cybercrime has grown significantly. In 2010, for example, its estimated […]
The Economic Standard: Oregon to Significantly Raise Vapor Product Prices
Last election day, Oregon voters overwhelmingly approved a new tax measure on nicotine products in an attempt to reduce the rate of smoking and save its citizens money on healthcare costs. This proposal, also called the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Tax Increase for Health Programs Measure, took effect this year and increased the current excise tax […]
The Economic Standard: Department of Labor Provides Clarity for the Gig Economy
Since the turn of the twenty-first century, independent workers have become an increasingly important part of the modern American economy as workers choose flexibility over traditional “9 to 5” employment. This trend is most clearly evidenced by the substantial growth in the numbers of Americans participating in the gig economy. In 2005, Intuit estimated only […]
Banning Flavored Tobacco Products is Just Blowing Smoke
On September 20, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York announced that his state would be the first in the country to ban flavored electronic cigarettes. In a statement announcing the new rules, Governor Cuomo stated “It is undeniable that vaping companies are deliberately using flavors like bubblegum, Captain Crunch and cotton candy to get […]
To Tackle High Drug Prices, Tear Down the Rebate Wall
In a period of deep political polarization, politicians on both sides of the aisle agree that Americans are paying too much for pharmaceutical drugs. During the 2020 presidential election, both Joe Biden and Donald Trump made lowering drug prices a central pillar of their respective campaigns, suggesting in the next four years there could be […]
FTC and the States Square Off Against Facebook
Following a year of active antitrust suits that has seen the Department of Justice sue Google and Visa, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 48 states have turned their attention to Facebook, alleging the company “willfully maintained its monopoly power through its course of anticompetitive acquisitions” of WhatsApp and Instagram. Despite the FTC’s present objections, […]
The Economic Standard: OECD Tax Proposal Will Harm Environmental Protections
Last October, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released its Pillar One and Pillar Two Blueprint, a plan that would fundamentally change tax rules between nations. The OECD also gave, until December 14th, an opportunity for public comments. In the comments we submitted, we concluded that the international community should pause and comprehensively reevaluate its approach, because […]
Real Clear Health: America Needs Federal Telehealth Licensure Legislation
A federal law is needed to allow telehealth providers to see patients across state lines. That would long way to mitigate the consequences of physician shortages, and it will save consumers costs and provide another avenue for healthcare service delivery. Read this op-ed in Real Clear Health