Regulation
Government regulations at the federal, state, and local levels may seek to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the American public. Yet they can exacerbate poverty, increase opportunity inequality, raise prices, and reduce economic growth. Mercatus research demonstrates how improvements in the regulatory process can foster the life-enhancing innovation and dynamic competition on which the country’s future prosperity depends.
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Latest Work in Regulation
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The Economic Situation, June 2023
- | Antitrust and Competition Antitrust and Competition
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Privacy Policy and the Future of the Online Economy
How Changes in Policy May Affect Digital Advertising and the Market for Online Services
- | Antitrust and Competition Antitrust and Competition
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The Problem with a Federal Ban on Noncompete Agreements
- | Regulation Regulation
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Battling Overregulation in State Courts
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Independent Work Provides Income Opportunities for Millions of Older Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
The Future of Work: Independence and Flexibility for Women and Millions of Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Texas State Agency Review
- | Regulation Regulation
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Regulatory System Design: Some Solutions to the Delegation Problem
- | Regulation Regulation
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How an Obscure Labor Rule Could Make Recession Inevitable | The Hill
- | Regulation Regulation
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POLICY SPOTLIGHT | Portable and Flexible Benefits: A Way Forward for Independent Workers
- | Regulation Regulation
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New Tools and Insights into Australia’s Regulatory Landscape
Introducing RegData Australia 2.3
- | Regulation Regulation
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Utah Is the First State to Truly Welcome the Gig Economy | The Salt Lake Tribune
- | Regulation Regulation
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The Other Opioid Crisis: Ethical Issues Surrounding Opioid Regulation | Discourse
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
New Tools and Insights into Canada’s Regulatory Landscape
Introducing RegData Canada 2.3
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
New Tools and Insights Into State Regulations
Introducing the RegData Definitive Edition
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
George McGovern, Joe Manchin and Government Regulation, 2023 | The John Batchelor Show
- | Regulation Regulation
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Are More Progressives Coming Around on Overregulation? | Creators Syndicate
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Return of the Farm Bill: Too Many Costs, Not Enough Benefits | Farming Abundance
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Regulation Can’t Prevent the Next Financial Crisis | Bloomberg Opinion
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Economic Situation, March 2023
Latest Work in Regulation
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Economic Situation, June 2023
- | Antitrust and Competition Antitrust and Competition
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Privacy Policy and the Future of the Online Economy
How Changes in Policy May Affect Digital Advertising and the Market for Online Services
- | Antitrust and Competition Antitrust and Competition
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Problem with a Federal Ban on Noncompete Agreements
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Battling Overregulation in State Courts
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Independent Work Provides Income Opportunities for Millions of Older Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
The Future of Work: Independence and Flexibility for Women and Millions of Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Texas State Agency Review
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Regulatory System Design: Some Solutions to the Delegation Problem
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How an Obscure Labor Rule Could Make Recession Inevitable | The Hill
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
POLICY SPOTLIGHT | Portable and Flexible Benefits: A Way Forward for Independent Workers
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
New Tools and Insights into Australia’s Regulatory Landscape
Introducing RegData Australia 2.3
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Utah Is the First State to Truly Welcome the Gig Economy | The Salt Lake Tribune
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Other Opioid Crisis: Ethical Issues Surrounding Opioid Regulation | Discourse
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
New Tools and Insights into Canada’s Regulatory Landscape
Introducing RegData Canada 2.3
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
New Tools and Insights Into State Regulations
Introducing the RegData Definitive Edition
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
George McGovern, Joe Manchin and Government Regulation, 2023 | The John Batchelor Show
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Are More Progressives Coming Around on Overregulation? | Creators Syndicate
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Return of the Farm Bill: Too Many Costs, Not Enough Benefits | Farming Abundance
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Regulation Can’t Prevent the Next Financial Crisis | Bloomberg Opinion
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Economic Situation, March 2023
Latest Work in Regulation
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Economic Situation, June 2023
- | Antitrust and Competition Antitrust and Competition
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Privacy Policy and the Future of the Online Economy
How Changes in Policy May Affect Digital Advertising and the Market for Online Services
- | Antitrust and Competition Antitrust and Competition
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Problem with a Federal Ban on Noncompete Agreements
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Battling Overregulation in State Courts
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Regulatory System Design: Some Solutions to the Delegation Problem
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
POLICY SPOTLIGHT | Portable and Flexible Benefits: A Way Forward for Independent Workers
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Economic Situation, March 2023
- | Regulation Regulation
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Counting the Code: How Many Criminal Laws Has Congress Created?
- | Regulation Regulation
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The Economic Situation, December 2022
- | Regulation Regulation
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Consequences of Restricting Independent Work and the Gig Economy
- | Regulation Regulation
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The Human Cost of Regulations and Some Possible Solutions
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Working Papers Working Papers
RegAuthorities: The Regulations Authorities Dataset
- | Regulation Regulation
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The Economic Situation, September 2022
- | Regulation Regulation
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The Failure to Establish Effective Rules for Financing U.S. Federal Entitlement Programs
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
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Drones, Airspace, and the Sharing Economy
- | Regulation Regulation
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The Economic Situation, June 2022
- | Regulation Regulation
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Census of Regulatory Restrictions
- | Regulation Regulation
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A Primer on Regulatory Impact Analysis
- | Regulation Regulation
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The Regressive Effects of Regulation | 2022 Edition
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Working Papers Working Papers
A 50-State Review of Regulatory Procedures
Latest Work in Regulation
- | Regulation Regulation
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George McGovern, Joe Manchin and Government Regulation, 2023 | The John Batchelor Show
- | Regulation Regulation
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The Future of Montana | KBUL-AM’s “Montana Talks”
- | Regulation Regulation
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Dr. Bruce Yandle's December 2022 Economic Situation Report
Upon assessing the year-end economic situation, Bruce continues to find a two-faced economy.
- | Regulation Regulation
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Healthcare Regulation and Free Riders | KHOW radio’s Ross Kaminsky Show (Denver, CO)
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
Repealing the Corn Laws, 175 Years Later
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Drones and Federalism w/ Brent Skorup
- | Antitrust and Competition Antitrust and Competition
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Mercatus Policy Download Mercatus Policy Download
Digital Platforms: Antitrust or Regulation?
What potential enforcement actions are being proposed against big digital platforms?
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
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Brent Skorup and Adam Thierer on the Deep Dive Podcast - Legal Issues for Commercial Drones
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Brent Skorup on KJZZ - Drone Policy
- | Regulation Regulation
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Colin O'Reilly on KOIL - Costs of Regulation
- | Regulation Regulation
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James Broughel on The John Batchelor Show - Deadly Regulations
- | Regulation Regulation
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James Broughel on The Lars Larson Show - Regulations under Biden
- | Regulation Regulation
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James Broughel on POTUS Channel
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
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Brent Skorup on POTUS Channel
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
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Jennifer Huddleston on the John Batchelor Radio Show
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Brent Skorup on WGN's "Opening Bell"
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
Why the Kisor Case Could Change Regulatory Policy
Auer Deference and Administrative Law

- | Regulation Regulation
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Jennifer Huddleston on POTUS Channel
- | Regulation Regulation
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Veronique de Rugy on Fox Business’ “Making Money with Charles Payne”
- | Regulation Regulation
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Veronique de Rugy on Fox Business’ “Making Money with Charles Payne”
Latest Work in Regulation
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Independent Work Provides Income Opportunities for Millions of Older Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Texas State Agency Review
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
The Future of Work: Independence and Flexibility for Women and Millions of Americans
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Modernizing the Contingent Work Supplement to Better Understand Alternative Work Arrangements
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Utah’s Portable Benefits Bill: Supporting Gig Workers and the Independent Workforce
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
The Unintended Consequences of the FRA's Minimum Train Crew Size Rule
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Strengthening Louisiana's Democracy through Legislative Review of Regulations
Louisiana House and Governmental Affairs Committee
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
One Giant Leap for Evidence-Based Policy in Kansas
Kansas House Committee on Federal and State Affairs | Hearing on Substitute for Senate Bill 34
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Criminal Justice Reform through Administrative Streamlining: A Win-Win for Coloradans
Colorado House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Mandated Reciprocal Switching May Cause More Railroad Worker Accidents and Casualties
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
Evidence-Free Policymaking at the Department of Health and Human Services
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Setting a Sensible Reduction Target for Ohio's Administrative Rules
Ohio House of Representatives, Government Oversight Committee
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
How To Help Improve Understanding of Alternative Work Arrangements and the Gig Economy
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Public Interest Comments Public Interest Comments
The EPA's Irrational, Uncompliant Benefit-Cost Analysis Requires Stronger Enforcement Mechanisms
Rescinding the Rule on Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Benefits and Costs in the Clean Air Act Rulemaking Process
- | Antitrust and Competition Antitrust and Competition
- | Federal Testimonies Federal Testimonies
Addressing Anticompetitive Conduct and Consolidation in Healthcare Markets: The Roles of State and Federal Regulation and Antitrust Law
Statement for the Record Submitted to the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Trimming Barber and Cosmetologist Regulation Will Not Harm Consumers
Testimony before the Ohio Senate, Small Business and Economic Opportunity Committee
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Ohio Should Open the Door To Skilled Workers
Testimony before the Ohio House of Representatives, State and Local Government Committee
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Ohio Occupational Licensure: Options for Reform
Testimony before the Ohio House of Representatives, State and Local Government Committee
- | Regulation Regulation
- | State Testimonies State Testimonies
Promoting Public Health through Meaningful Regulatory Review
Testimony before the Montana Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Safety
Latest Work in Regulation
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
How an Obscure Labor Rule Could Make Recession Inevitable | The Hill
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
New Tools and Insights into Australia’s Regulatory Landscape
Introducing RegData Australia 2.3
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Utah Is the First State to Truly Welcome the Gig Economy | The Salt Lake Tribune
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Other Opioid Crisis: Ethical Issues Surrounding Opioid Regulation | Discourse
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
New Tools and Insights into Canada’s Regulatory Landscape
Introducing RegData Canada 2.3
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
New Tools and Insights Into State Regulations
Introducing the RegData Definitive Edition
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Are More Progressives Coming Around on Overregulation? | Creators Syndicate
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Return of the Farm Bill: Too Many Costs, Not Enough Benefits | Farming Abundance
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Regulation Can’t Prevent the Next Financial Crisis | Bloomberg Opinion
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Biden Wants To Restrict Work and Flexibility for Freelancers | Reason
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
A Land Tax Won’t Make Cities More Affordable | Bloomberg Opinion
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Cost of Battery Production Tax Credits Provided in the IRA | Forbes
- | Regulation Regulation
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Year in Review: What Economic Lessons did We Learn in 2022? | The Washington Examiner
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Should the Fed Send Billions to Banks but not a Dime to Taxpayers? | The Hill
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Gavin Newsom Can Stop Water Projects From Drowning in Red Tape | Forbes
- | Regulation Regulation
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Regulation Debate Misses the Point of Crypto | Wall Street Journal
- | Regulation Regulation
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Red Tape Reform is the Key to Building Again | The Hill
- | Regulation Regulation
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Cutting Red Tape Could Advance Biden’s Agenda | The Wall Street Journal
- | Regulation Regulation
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To Reform Agency Rulemaking, Consider Regulation by Trial | Discourse
- | Regulation Regulation
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