Regulatory Action Center Review – May 29, 2020
Welcome to FreedomWorks Foundation’s eighth regulatory review of 2020! Our Regulatory Action Center proudly updates you with the latest regulatory actions from the swamp. This week, we bring you a special coronavirus edition, highlighting some of the government regulations that have been repealed to fight the pandemic. Check back next week for the next edition.
1) President Trump Destroys Section 230
Yesterday, following a spat with Twitter, President Trump finally followed through with his previous threats to revoke an important liability shield for internet platforms. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act basically provides First Amendment protections to platforms like Twitter that host third party content, meaning that Twitter cannot be held liable for something a user posts on their platform. The fight over Section 230 has been escalating recently, with many on both sides of the aisle arguing that the President’s order is unconstitutional.
2) Trump Administration Makes Good on 2 for 1 Promise
Early on in the Administration, President Trump made an unprecedented promise to the American people, ordering federal agencies to cut two regulations for every one new introduction. Though pundits have attempted to argue that President Trump has failed in this mission, new analysis demonstrates incontrovertibly that this Administration has ushered in deregulation of historic proportions.
3) President Trump Orders Agencies to Help America Bounce Back
At Freedomworks, we have long been preaching about the regulatory barriers that stand in the way of economic growth. The Trump Administration has seemed to listen, leaning heavily into deregulation to help America bounce back from the COVID-19 shutdown. Most recently, the President has directed all federal agencies to review and rollback any regulations that may slow America’s rebound. Hopefully, these measures will help us achieve the ideal V-shaped recession.
Now that the worst of COVID-19 has passed, nearly every state in the nation has begun to open up. Here are some highlights from around the country.
4) Virginia
In Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam’s Phase I “Safer-at-Home” plan has been in effect since May 15. Under this order, non-essential retail is allowed to open at 50 percent capacity, and restaurants and other business with outside areas are allowed to operate those areas normally. Though Gov. Northam has yet to indicate when Phase II will begin, Virginia’s downward trend bodes well. In Phase II, “social gatherings will be limited to 50 and additional businesses limitations will be eased.”
5) California
Citizens of California are already in the second stage of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s four stage plan. Retail businesses, offices, logistics and manufacturing companies, personal services, child care, and other essential businesses are all allowed to operate with some modifications. Though Gov. Newsom drew the ire of many industry big-whigs for his belated reopening, it seems like business is starting to return to normal for our nation’s most populous state.
6) Florida
Having led the charge to reopen, Gov. Ron DeSantis has continued to encourage, not only floridians, but the rest of the country that there is no time to wait and see. We need to reopen now. Having allowed some elective surgeries, sports venues, and personal services like barbers to get back to work, Florida has shown how to reopen right.
7) New York
New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, when he’s not obsessing over masks, has finally listened to reason and begun to open up his state. In a 156 page report, the Governor outlined New York’s current and future position, as well as preparedness for future pandemics. Hopefully, Gov. Cuomo will continue to listen to reason and not back-track on reopening, as he has done previously.
