Josiah Bartlett Center - Monopolies, Unemployment, and Old Budget Gimmicks

Weekly Update from the
Josiah Bartlett Center

Keeping you up to date on our latest research
on the issues impacting New Hampshire

Sometimes a Monopoly Is Not Enough

Every problem does not demand government action. Every business relationship doesn’t need micromanaging intervention by legislators. Yet in this day and age the first course of action for many businesses is to turn to their elected friends for a little help.

A classic example of crony capitalism at work is the legislature’s intervention on behalf of auto dealers in their relationship with manufacturers. Everyone likes auto dealers. They’re nice guys, big donors to a variety of civic and political interests, even think tanks on occasion. They tend to be among the largest employers in many political districts and a very visible part of the community... Click here to keep reading.

###

NH Paying for Decision to Borrow School Building Aid Funds

Budget Gimmick from 3 years Ago Haunting Current Budget Writers

New Hampshire’s decision to borrow money for three years to pay for the state’s Building Aid Program is adding a $27.6 million crunch to the current budget debate. Click here to keep reading

###

Unemployment Falls in March

But not for the right reasons

According to the BLS, the national unemployment rate fell in March to 7.6%, from 7.7% in February. On the surface it would appear that the labor is recovering, however the data contained within the report shows the opposite to be true... Click here to keep reading.

###

The State's Online Checkbook

JBC's Transparency Project

With the budget process underway here in Concord are you curious where all that money is spent? Look no further than NHOpenGov. We have data on every last check the state wrote going back to 2009.... Click here to start looking!

ALG's Daily Grind - Internet Radio Fairness Act would end the music monopoly

Nov. 26, 2012

Internet Radio Fairness Act would end the music monopoly
Rather than organically promoting supply and demand within the free market, the current system is based on the government imposing an unfair and discriminatory burden on one segment of the economy so that another might benefit.

Top 12 Big Gov't Busts of 2012: #11 The Green Economy

In 2011, it was Solyndra. In 2012, it was A123. What green company will go next? We have seen more bankruptcy than success.

CIA Global Warming Clown Act on a Par with The Pink Panther's Inspector Clouseau

The good news is that the CIA is disbanding the Center on Climate Change and National Security. The bad news is that the agency still clings to global warming dogma even after the "climategate" made it clear that politically motivated researchers have been manipulating and distorting scientific data in an effort to prop up theories that no longer hold.

The Hill: Boehner tightens grip on rank and file to maximize power in 'fiscal cliff' talks

The following featured article from The Hill  explains why House Speaker John Boehner is tightening his grip on House Republicans.

CEI Weekly: Lessons from the Ma Bell Era

>>[VIDEO] The Open Internet and Lessons from the Ma Bell Era
What will happen to today's open Internet if government imposes new rules on broadband providers? In this video, Associate Director of Technology Studies Ryan Radia explores the history of government regulation of the telecommunications market and the lessons we can learn from it.
View video.

>>Shaping the Debate 

Brownback's Mountain

William Yeatman and Iain Murray's op-ed on National Review Online

Kagan and the Agency-Exhaustion Doctrine: A Response to Media Matters

John Berlau's op-ed on National Review Online

Should Internet Gambling Be Legalized?

Michelle Minton's op-ed in The New York Times' Room for Debate

Department of Labor Inspector General Nominee: Too Political, Too Controversial

Vincent Vernuccio's op-ed on BigGovernment

You Auto Know Better

Iain Murray's op-ed in The Washington Examiner's Examiner Opinion Zone

UAE BlackBerry Ban is Latest Clash Over Information Control

Ryan Radia's citation in Voice of America

>>Best of the Blogs

Give & Take: Fifth Amendment Complicates Net Neutrality

by Carolyn Homer

Missouri Voters Overwhelmingly Reject ObamaCare’s Individual Mandate in Referendum

by Hans Bader

CSR and Oil Companies: The Truth Dawns?

by Iain Murray

>>LibertyWeek Podcast

Episode 104: Battlefield Arizona

Richard Morrison and Marc Scribner welcome special guest John Vaught LaBeaume to episode 104. We tackle Arizona’s immigration prospects, school reform efforts in D.C., the future of offshore drilling, why you have the right to remain French, and the stormy waters of congressional ethics investigations.

 >>Support CEI

Like what you read?

The Competitive Enterprise Institute’s 26-year record of success is made possible by our over 3,000 supporters. Please be sure to stop by www.cei.org/support to make a donation today.  Curious about all the possible ways to donate to CEI? Contact Al Canata at acanata@cei.org or 202-331-2280 to find out more.