Business
Key Points
- States should not further restrict the options and rights of businesses and workers to negotiate their own wages by raising the price floor on the cost of labor.
- When occupational licensing or regulations, state legislatures should be required to show real harm and select the least-restrictive regulation to address that harm rather than impose further complicated red tape on those wanting to start a new business or career.
- Individuals should be free to decide for themselves whether or not they would like to join or contribute to a labor union without that being a precondition of employment.
Maintaining a healthy economy and fostering economic growth is one of the most important priorities for hardworking Americans. The cost of everyday life is increasing and people need to make sure that their job opportunities and paychecks keep up. Policymakers must create a plan of action that focuses on policies that increase economic opportunity, promote freedom of association and lower barriers to entry for new businesses.
Prioritizing the preferences of individuals by making union membership and contributions voluntary is an important reform that affects all businesses. Policies on organized labor should emphasize transparency and protect an individual’s choice regarding union involvement. No person should be forced to be a member of a union as a condition of employment or devote part of their paycheck towards political causes with which they disagree.
State occupational licensing boards should ensure licensure requirements for employment serve a valid public health and safety need, and that they provide individuals the most opportunity to succeed and contribute to the economy. Occupational licensing increases unemployment by about one percent, raises prices by about 15 percent, and offers no incremental consumer protection over a competitive market. Eliminating or reducing unnecessary occupational licenses gives individuals the freedom to pursue their desired career goals, free from arbitrary barriers to entry that favor incumbent firms in a particular industry.
Finally, policies on wages ensure individuals are free to make their own decisions and ensure that workers are not priced out of the labor force via government fiat. Setting price controls generally damages the economy by restricting decisions both businesses and individuals are able to make, and setting a price floor on wages is no exception. Maximizing the freedom of businesses and employees to negotiate their own wages is an important factor in helping both parties come to an agreement and thrive.
Model Policies
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Resolution Opposing Taxpayer Financing of Professional Sports Stadiums Final
Summary The resolution opposes taxpayer financing of professional sports stadiums and venues. Definitions “Professional sports” means any sporting event or competition featuring non-amateur athletes. High school or collegiate level athletics and competitions funded solely by 501(c)(3) non-profit entities within their charitable purpose are excluded from this definition. “Stadium” or “Professional …
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An Act Relating to Online Lodging Marketplaces – Establishing Statewide Standards, Protecting Privacy, and Enabling Efficient Tax Remittance Final
Section 1 – Definitions “Lodging Marketplace” means a person that provides a platform through which an Unaffiliated Third Party offers to rent a Vacation Rental or Short-Term Rental to an occupant and collects the consideration for the rental from the occupant. For the purposes of this paragraph: “Unaffiliated Third Party” …
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Uniform Standard for Lodging Taxes Act Final
Section 1. Definitions [Appropriately designated section number] of the statutes is created to read: (1) “Hotel” means any structure or space, or any portion thereof, that: (a) Is occupied, or intended or designed for occupancy, by transients for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes; and (b) Accepts on-site reservations for accommodations; …
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Comprehensive Public Employee Freedom Act Final
Section 1. {Short Title.} This Act shall be known as the Comprehensive Public Employee Freedom Act Section 2. {Legislative Declarations.} This legislature finds and declares that: By bargaining over the allocation of taxpayer dollars and workplace rules that affect public policy, all government labor organization’s actions are inherently political. Public employees have …
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Natural Hair Braiding Protection Act Final
Section 1. {Purpose} Natural hair braiding is a traditional practice that is safe. It presents no significant health and safety risks to customers or practitioners. This state should protect liberty. It has no interest in requiring practitioners to obtain an occupational license or other form of occupational …
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Statement of Principles on State Workers’ Compensation Reform Final
Preamble Government policy should encourage fair and sustainable state-based workers’ compensation laws that provide quality medical care and benefits to injured workers, and focus on workplace safety and successful return-to-work programs. Fair laws maintain an equitable balance between the interests and accountability of both employers and employees. Sustainable laws facilitate …