Government Red Tape
Many cities, counties, and states wrap small businesses up in red tape that goes far beyond protecting public health and safety. For example, when theater owners in Tucson painted a large mural on the side of their building to advertise an upcoming show, the city cracked down, citing the theater for not following the proper permitting steps, including making a formal presentation before the Sign Code Advisory Committee. Goldwater helps cities see the long-term advantage in minimal, consistent regulation – and isn’t afraid to step in when they overstep their constitutional authority.
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A Makeover for the Cosmetology Board
Posted on May 02, 2013 | Type: Blog | Author: Christina SandefurThanks to a Goldwater Institute lawsuit and the courage of a local entrepreneur, the Arizona Board of Cosmetology has gotten a makeover.
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Let Union Pacific Create Jobs in Arizona
Posted on April 25, 2013 | Type: Blog | Author: Byron SchlomachOver six years ago, the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) expressed interest in buying some state trust land north of Tucson where it could build a switching yard. The state’s Land Department, however, has vacillated. While Arizona regularly hands out incentives to attract large companies – especially solar companies – it drags its feet on a deal that would cost the state nothing and bring in revenues, not to mention hundreds of jobs.
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Media Advisory: Board of Cosmetology Will Cease Regulating Small Businesswoman
Posted on April 24, 2013 | Type: Press ReleaseA cancer survivor and former hospice nurse’s assistant, Boice founded Angels on Earth Home Beauty, a dispatch-service to connect homebound elderly and ill clients with licensed cosmetologists who can perform haircuts, manicures or massages right in the clients’ own homes. In a classic story of government run amok, the Arizona Board of Cosmetology began threatening to shut down Boice’s business unless she complied with regulations designed for beauty salons, not home visits. The Board even demanded she open a physical salon location even though her homebound clients would never step foot inside. In the legally binding settlement agreement filed with the court, the Board agrees to stop requiring Lauren to comply with these regulations and promises it will not to regulate business people like her in the future.
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Win One for the Gipper? Yes, We Can!
Posted on April 23, 2013 | Type: Blog | Author: Nick DraniasEven in his sunset years, Ronald Reagan understood too well that Congress will never tie its own hands when it comes to debt spending. Lamenting the repeated failure of Congress to propose a Balanced Budget Amendment, Reagan wrote on May 23, 1994:
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Separating the News from the Noise
Posted on April 11, 2013 | Type: Blog | Author: Jonathan ButcherWhat we really need to know more about is how to give every child the chance at a great education. Charter schools generate headlines here. Arizona has 535 charter schools, and a higher percentage of charters earned an “A” on their state report card (35 percent) than traditional schools (22 percent).
