R Street Institute

"One likely reason that most states favor the disclosure policy over prohibition is concern about regulating speech in light of the First Amendment. A federal judge blocked California’s prohibition law in 2024 over concerns that it violated the First Amendment, writing that AB 2839 “unconstitutionally stifles the free and unfettered exchange of ideas which is so vital to American democratic debate.” A prohibition law in Minnesota faces a similar legal challenge. While there are no guarantees that disclosure requirements will stand up to legal scrutiny if challenged, most lawmakers are opting to pursue the lighter-touch disclosure policy not yet blocked in federal court." #elections #deepfakes #governance

"The government should not restrict people’s access to tools that can help keep them safe and alive." Stacey McKenna #harmreduction #policyresearch

"Presently, diversion programs offering treatment as an alternative to criminal charges are the most common form of coercive treatment. However, the evidence supporting long-term treatment and health outcomes is lacking." Chelsea Boyd, M.S. Mazen Saleh #harmreduction #publicpolicy

"Competitive retail markets allow innovative pricing, and the results are impressive. In Texas, suppliers offer consumers variable rates and energy management options that can cut bills by 20 percent or more while providing protection against extreme price spikes. Consumers can program their smart thermostats, EV chargers, and other devices to respond to price changes, allowing them to save money without constantly monitoring electricity prices. This market-based approach gives consumers control over their energy costs and protects them from extreme price volatility. Consumers can also get boring old flat rates from suppliers in Texas’ competitive retail electric market if that’s what they want. The competitive structure of the market means that no one is forced to pay more for electricity when someone else maxes out their air conditioning all summer. Unfortunately, in too many states, regulatory policy blocks this kind of consumer empowerment. Outdated regulations trap consumers in a one-size-fits-all pricing model, leaving them with unnecessarily high bills and no alternatives to reduce them. A new report from the American Enterprise Institute diagnoses the many barriers to a more efficient, consumer-oriented electricity system. It emphasizes that democratizing energy decisions—giving consumers more control over their energy use and costs—is essential to build a more dependable, affordable, and decarbonized grid. The report identifies problems, outlines reforms, and guides regulators and policymakers seeking a more innovative, consumer-focused system." Michael Giberson #energy #electricbill #energypolicy

Why is Florida's latest age-verification mandate not the answer to online safety? 1. They will likely require over-collection of sensitive personal data. 2. They pose an unconstitutionally broad restriction on access to speech and content. 3. They impose government mandates when private solutions already exist. Josh Withrow #ageverification #publicpolicy #techpolicy

"Someone in Georgia loses their life to domestic violence nearly every 48 hours. More than 35 percent of women in the state have experienced intimate partner violence, yet the legal system often punishes survivors instead of protecting them." Lisel Petis #criminaljustice #policyresearch #Georgia

"The tort reform package found in Senate Bill 68 should not be that controversial. It simply aims to curb lawsuit abuse in many ways, including limiting attorneys from cherry-picking more favorable judicial jurisdictions; permitting juries to consider seat belt usage in car accident cases; ending jury awards for phantom damages; and reforming premises liability so that companies are not unfairly held responsible for injuries that occur near their businesses." Marc Hyden THE NEWNAN TIMES-HERALD, INC #insurance #senate #publicpolicy

"The markets understand the basic truth about tariffs, which are taxes consumers in our country pay for imported goods. They raise prices, reduce our access to foreign goods and spark reciprocal tariffs that then punish our country’s farmers and manufacturers. They lead to less growth and more unemployment. They increase bureaucracy by requiring officials to calculate duties and enforce them. They create hostilities and have led to actual war." Orange County Register Steven Greenhut #tariffs #publicpolicy

"Two examples of barriers that could discourage SSP use are identification and residency requirements. Members of vulnerable populations are less likely to have a form of government-issued identification and may not have an address to prove residency." Chelsea Boyd, M.S. #harmreduction #publicpolicy

"Mischaracterizing these actions as authoritarianism rather than just potentially bad policy weakens the credibility of those who would challenge Trump if he actually crosses the line." The Hill National Taxpayers Union Eli Lehrer #publicpolicy #policyresearch #government