Democrats Want to Use Antitrust to Achieve Progressive Labor Policy Priorities
These are, of course, not the only examples of the government standing in their own way when it comes to helping workers and growing the economy. Onerous occupational licensing requirements restrict Americans’ access to employment opportunities. While there may be valid health and safety reasons for licenses for certain jobs, this is not universally true. The R Street Institute notes that it takes 1,500 hours of education and two state exams to work as a cosmetologist while emergency medical technicians (EMTs) only need to complete 110 hours of education. This is a growing problem with nearly 30 percent of the workforce now required to have a license.
