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Ending Choice in the Name of Anti-discrimination
Last November, the Washington State Supreme Court unanimously upheld Seattle’s “first-come, first-served” ordinance. The law requires landlords to publicize their criteria when selecting tenants and then rent to the first qualified individual. Proponents of the ordinance claim that it provides equal treatment for all individuals. According to the Seattle Times, When landlords are allowed to…
Conflicting “Rights”
If we examine nearly any political issue, from health care to housing, from jobs to wages, we will find claims of conflicting “rights.” Individuals claim that they have a right to decent housing, while landlords claim that they have a right to choose their tenants. Employees claim that they have a right to a “living…
Principals and Principles
In mid-January, the Greater Houston Partnership held its annual meeting. Incoming board chair, Marc Watts called upon members to be more “civically engaged.” He said that business leaders have important values to contribute to the political process. And one of those values is the willingness to compromise. The third value is the willingness to compromise….
Licensing Stifles Independent Thought
Occupational licensing requires practitioners of certain professions to first obtain government approval in the form of a state license. An individual who deems himself competent to offer a service cannot do so unless has the government’s permission. Equally important, licensing prohibits individuals from hiring unlicensed individuals, even if they judge them to be competent. In…
“Selling” the Public on Light Rail
ByjbpThis was originally posted on Live Oaks on September 7, 2010. Comments have not been migrated. The Chronicle tells us that new Metro chairman George Greanias faces the challenge of selling a “sometimes skeptical public” on the alleged merits of light rail. The article makes it appear that Greanias is more concerned with the troubled…
PLF Wins Big at SCOTUS—Twice
Today, the United States Supreme Court announced two unanimous rulings in cases that had been filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF). This follows another successful ruling from the Court in April (Wilkins v. United States). In Sackett v. EPA, the Court significantly narrowed the EPA’s authority under the Clean Water Act. The ruling will…