Evidence from Teacher Quality in North Carolina From the Mercatus Center at George Mason University "Supporters of occupational licensing often argue that the practice has two notable benefits: first, licensing can convey information about the quality of ...
Cutting the Competition?: The Effects of Licensing Barbers in Alabama
This paper, published by the Mackinac Institute, estimates the effects of Alabama’s reintroduction of barbering licensing requirements on the receipts and growth of barber shops in the state. It contains state-level comparisons of barber and beauty shops ...
The Costs of Occupational Licensing in Alabama
An occupational license is essentially a government permission slip to do certain work. In Alabama, before one can become a hair braider, cosmetologist, shampooer, massage therapist, auctioneer, pest control worker, and so on, one must first jump through ...
Guide to the Issues: Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)
An education savings account is an individual student bank account, established by state law, which holds some or all of the public funds that would normally be allocated for the education of the participating student. Generally, the student must meet cer ...
Guide to the Issues: Charter Schools in Alabama
While the state of Alabama has seen incremental reform in the realm of public education in recent years, one major component of the national education reform movement has remained elusive. Despite rapid and often successful growth nationwide over the last ...
Guide to the Issues: Tax Credits in Alabama
Tax credits, at both the federal and state levels, directly offset an individual or business’ tax bill for the year. Tax credits are often part of a package deal when it comes to policymaking: tax deductions, tax incentives, and tax “breaks” are all close ...
Guide to the Issues: Free Speech on Campus in Alabama
Free speech is a constitutionally protected right for all Americans—and those attending colleges and universities are no exception. The Supreme Court has held that “speech may not be banned on the ground that it expresses ideas that offend.” Harmful and ...
Guide to the Issues: Abortion in Alabama
Since the passing of Roe v. Wade in 1973, abortion has been legal in the United States.1 While the federal government has legalized abortion, in Alabama, a majority of citizens do not agree with abortion due to the consequences of the procedure physically ...
API Federal Dependency Polling Results
In late October, the Alabama Policy Institute commissioned a poll to determine Republican voter opinions about Alabama’s financial readiness and the degree to which Alabama is reliant on funding from the federal government. The survey of 750 Alabama Repu ...
Guide to the Issues: The State Budget: Earmarks
Originally, an "earmark" was a sign of ownership--a mark in the ear of a sheep or other animal. Today, earmarks are the sign of bad fiscal policy. Earmarking is the dedication of certain tax revenues to the financing of specific programs. Currently, 93% ...