Regulation in a 21st Century Economy

In January, President Obama announced his regulatory agenda in a new executive order, “Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review.”  The order and the President’s agenda emphasize a better balance between the costs of regulation and protecting consumers, workers, and the environment, for as President Obama wrote in his explanatory op-ed in the Wall Street Journal,“Sometimes, those rules have gotten out of balance, placing unreasonable burdens on business—burdens that have stifled innovation and have had a chilling effect on growth and jobs.”

The President’s proposal for reform raises difficult questions. What steps are necessary to achieve real reform? What approach should policy makers take to implement regulatory reform? How will regulatory reform affect economic growth?

At this half-day conference, policy makers, prominent regulatory scholars, and former regulators will discuss these questions from the perspective of the economic impact of regulation—from the national level to the costs regulations impose on average people. After outlining the challenges of working within the current regulatory apparatus, they will lay out actionable plans that establish that key balance between public well-being and economic competitiveness.

Registration for this event is required. Please fill out the form below or contact Megan Gandee at mmahan@gmu.edu with any questions.

Agenda

8:30–9 am: Registration and Continental Breakfast

9–9:15 am: Welcome

• Richard Williams, Director of Policy Research, Mercatus Center at George Mason University

9:15 –9:35 am: Regulation and the Economy

• Senator Mark Warner (VA)

9:35–9:50 am: Congressional Oversight and the Regulatory Agencies

• Representative Jim Jordan (OH-4)

10–10:50 am: Panel One: What do we know about the effects of regulations?

• Jerry Ellig, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University
• Bruce Yandle, Clemson University
• The Honorable Ronald A. Cass, Former Vice-Chairman of the US International Trade Commission (Appointed by President Ronald Reagan as Commissioner (1988-90); Appointed Vice-Chairman by President George H.W. Bush (1989-1990))

11am–11:45 am: Panel Two: Regulatory Reforms for a Competitive Economy

• Richard Williams, Director of Policy Research, Mercatus Center at George Mason University
• The Honorable Susan Dudley, Director of the Regulatory Studies Center, The George Washington University

Noon-1 pm: Luncheon Address and Q&A Session with the Speakers

• Bruce Yandle, Clemson University - Speaking

Q&A with:

• The Honorable Susan Dudley, Director of the Regulatory Studies Center, The George Washington University
• Richard Williams, Director of Policy Research, Mercatus Center at George Mason University
• Jerry Ellig, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University
• Bruce Yandle, Clemson University