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Texas Looks to Decrease Occupational Licensing
Capitol Confidential ^ | 8/22/2014 | Jarrett Skorup

Posted on 08/25/2014 5:10:23 AM PDT by MichCapCon

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is running for governor of that state, has rolled out a plan that would repeal a number of occupational licensing rules. These standards restrict individuals from engaging in certain commerce without permission from the state (and often include paying extra money, taking tests, and meeting other requirements).

The plan notes, “Regulation by licensure results in less competition, fewer choices, higher costs, and the potential to thwart innovation. These effects are not always visible to the consumer, but they are nonetheless built-in costs without justification in most instances.”

The National Center for Policy Analysis notes, “Of all the proposals designed to help poor and lower-income people, this one deserves major kudos. It does not involve expansion of a massive government program, and it reduces the cost to those who wish to profit from their knowledge and skills. It will also boost economic growth and tax revenue, since studies indicate that such licensing reduces job growth by 20 percent.”

Abbott’s plan would specifically get rid of or significantly reform licensing for interior designers, salvage vehicle dealers, dog trainers, coaches, auctioneers, barbers, cosmetologists and towing boat operators.

According to “License to Work,” a national study on the burdens of occupational licensing from the Institute for Justice, Texas has the 17th most burdensome laws. Michigan is ranked 21st and is particularly burdensome towards moderate-income occupations. Michigan also licenses painters, barbers, lower-level contractors like those putting up gutters and laying tile, and other areas rarely licensed in other states like floor sanders, alarm installers, glaziers and other alteration contractors.

The main opposition to Abbott’s proposal comes from the groups representing industries which are being deregulated. The stated claim, of course, is that the repeal of licensing and regulatory rules would harm health and safety. This is the standard assertion, but there is little or no evidence that removing most licensing standards will cause harm — and the entrenched interests who make that claim rarely even try to show that it does.

The reality is that these organizations are looking to use government to protect their members from competition in the marketplace. But that is not a proper role of government.


TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: jobs
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1 posted on 08/25/2014 5:10:23 AM PDT by MichCapCon
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To: MichCapCon

bump


2 posted on 08/25/2014 5:14:43 AM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: MichCapCon
Bears repeating:

The reality is that these organizations are looking to use government to protect their members from competition in the marketplace. But that is not a proper role of government.

Cartels do not like competition.

There is nothing to prevent these organizations and trade associations from convincing employers to require a certification as mine requires a CPM (Certified Purchasing Manager) for my job. Yes, it can be useful in separating the wheat from the chaff though I have seen people both perform the job without it as well as a fewer number who can pass the tests but lack the common sense to perform it in a practical manner.

3 posted on 08/25/2014 5:21:34 AM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: MichCapCon

while they are at it they need to do away nearly completely with continuing education requirements for most professions that were implemented in the 90’s


4 posted on 08/25/2014 5:28:22 AM PDT by TexasFreeper2009 (Obama lied .. the economy died.)
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To: GeronL

Sometimes regulation and oversight protects consumers and ensures that people employed in a particular profession have the proper training, experience, and expertise to provide a certain type of service to consumers. It also helps to maintain a higher degree of professionalism and provides a way to check them out before transacting business with them. I certainly would want a first year out of medical school brain surgeon or a doc with multiple infractions with the medical board to do brain surgery on me...


5 posted on 08/25/2014 5:29:51 AM PDT by jsanders2001
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To: MichCapCon

I will proudly pull the lever for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott this November for Texas Governor.


6 posted on 08/25/2014 5:32:18 AM PDT by steelwheels
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To: jsanders2001
certainly would want a first year out of medical school brain surgeon or a doc with multiple infractions with the medical board to do brain surgery on me...

I didn't see brain surgeon on the list.

7 posted on 08/25/2014 5:38:36 AM PDT by steelwheels
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To: MichCapCon

I was told that if I didn’t have a Texas license already, employers wouldn’t consider me, it takes 10-12 months to get a new license and requires a written test covering Texas state law, and I’m not a lawyer.


8 posted on 08/25/2014 5:38:53 AM PDT by dangerdoc ((this space for rent))
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Comment #9 Removed by Moderator

Comment #10 Removed by Moderator

To: Vigilanteman

The growth of the “certification” industry has been a boon for the for profit colleges and technical schools. Well after you have earned your degree, they cash in on endless certification programs. The HR nazis really love it as it makes their job easier and provides a defense for hiring decisions when the government compliance auditors come calling. Companies tend to like it because they know that a prospective employee actually has the skills required by the job, something that a college degree does not do.

I think that it has gotten a little out of hand. Experience generally trumps these courses, and drive, ambition, and a willingness to learn are the real discriminators.


11 posted on 08/25/2014 5:54:28 AM PDT by centurion316
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To: TexasFreeper2009

while they are at it they need to do away nearly completely with continuing education requirements for most professions that were implemented in the 90’s

I agree but I do hope they still require a license for HVAC. Although I do believe they’ve either made the test much easier or some of these training outfits must have the answer keys because in the last few years they’ve given HVAC licenses like crazy. But it still doesn’t stop all the illegals from doing work without a license


12 posted on 08/25/2014 6:10:34 AM PDT by Undecided 2012
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To: Undecided 2012

Florida is even worse, requiring contractors licenses for such minor things as pool cleaners.


13 posted on 08/25/2014 6:15:21 AM PDT by rstrahan
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To: MichCapCon

Licensing is not about protecting the public. It’s about a lot of fees to keep an army of lazy ba****ds with IQs of 90 or less employees in govt offices. We are being enslaved by an out of control bureaucracy at all levels.


14 posted on 08/25/2014 6:21:07 AM PDT by Seruzawa (Gully Foyle is my name, and Terra is my nation)
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To: rstrahan

How about getting your teeth cleaned? Had to get a complete exam by my new dentist first. Do they really need a dentist in the next room while doing their thing? Cruise ships in international waters could do wonders.


15 posted on 08/25/2014 6:25:19 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
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To: Seruzawa

“Licensing is not about protecting the public. It’s about a lot of fees to keep an army of lazy ba****ds with IQs of 90 or less employees in govt offices. We are being enslaved by an out of control bureaucracy at all levels.”

For the most part that is spot on!

Requiring a license to cut hair or raise puppies for sale is legal extortion.


16 posted on 08/25/2014 6:40:27 AM PDT by Rebelbase
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To: Rebelbase

The market will weed out the incompetent ones. Organizations such as the BBB will help you find qualified people. The same way they did before regulation. No system works better than the free market.


17 posted on 08/25/2014 7:02:34 AM PDT by DeWalt (Times are more like they used to be than they are today.)
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To: jsanders2001

Explain why florists have to be licensed in Louisiana


18 posted on 08/25/2014 7:06:04 AM PDT by Rome2000
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To: Rome2000

> Explain why florists have to be licensed in Louisiana

Because the government needs to make money, duh! It’s not like paying personal income tax, local taxes, business personal property tax, and real estate property tax is enough.../s


19 posted on 08/25/2014 7:12:32 AM PDT by jsanders2001
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To: steelwheels

> I will proudly pull the lever for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott this November for Texas Governor.

He seems a lot more honest that most of the other scum I see out there...: )


20 posted on 08/25/2014 7:14:34 AM PDT by jsanders2001
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