Commentaries & Insights

Our Commentaries and Insights are short-form publications intended to distill long-form research and synthesize current policymaking activity into easily understood concepts.


Regulatory Action Holding Steady in Spring 2015 Unified Agenda

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs released its semiannual Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions for Spring 2015.

Regulators' Budget Increases Consistent with Growth in Fiscal Budget

This year’s “regulators’ budget” presents the President’s requested budget outlays and staffing in fiscal year (FY) 2016.

Why the Federal Government Struggles to Hire and Fire

Through evidence-based reforms, the government can foster a federal workforce that is even more productive and capable.

Vague Net Neutrality Rule Impedes Innovation

FCC's recent order imposing common carrier and net neutrality obligations on broadband Internet access providers creates a complex new regulatory structure.

Does Reducing Ozone Really Improve Human Health?

EPA recently concluded that current NAAQS standards do not fully suffice to protect public health. Does causal evidence support this conclusion?

CFPB Should Consider a More Dynamic Approach to Prepaid Debit Card Regulation

Little evidence suggests that CFPB's proposal will have desirable consequences, but it will likely increase compliance burdens.

Justices Debate Benefits and Costs of EPA Mercury Power Plant Rule

Supreme Court considers whether EPA factored costs properly in its 2012 case on Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Improving Regulatory Accountability: Lessons from the Past, Prospects for the Future

Bureaucracy has outgrown Congress' ability to exercise oversight

One-Size-Fits-All Regulations are a Bad Deal for Low-Income Americans

Long-term benefits may not add up for households at low end of the income distribution