The freedom to earn a living free from arbitrary government interference is a fundamental human right. This right to benefit from one's labor applies to all individuals, whether entrepreneurs or wage earners.
Too often, counterproductive regulations, licensing laws, and wage and price restrictions obstruct this freedom. Labor laws, including those that support compulsory unionism and forced dues, are also frequently at odds with liberty and prosperity. Together these policies thwart flexibility and innovation, raise costs, and stifle employment opportunities, thereby preventing Oregon's people and economy from flourishing as they could.
Often it is low-income consumers, job seekers, employees and prospective entrepreneurs who suffer the regulatory burden the most. Cascade Policy Institute shed light on this unfortunate reality in the illuminating report, Unintended Consequences: How Government Policies Hurt Oregon's Poor, by Martin L. Buchanan. In another report, Preserve Farmland Through Prosperity: Reforming Oregon's Land Use Laws, organic farmer Ann Brentmar shows how state land use restrictions can limit small farmers' business opportunities. Legislative reform passed in 1997 based on her findings.
Cascade Policy Institute encourages government to strive for a neutral approach when dealing with business and labor issues. Individuals and organizations should be free to voluntarily contract with one another as they deem fit, while being held accountable and responsible for their actions, respecting contract law and property rights.
Too often, counterproductive regulations, licensing laws, and wage and price restrictions obstruct this freedom. Labor laws, including those that support compulsory unionism and forced dues, are also frequently at odds with liberty and prosperity. Together these policies thwart flexibility and innovation, raise costs, and stifle employment opportunities, thereby preventing Oregon's people and economy from flourishing as they could.
Often it is low-income consumers, job seekers, employees and prospective entrepreneurs who suffer the regulatory burden the most. Cascade Policy Institute shed light on this unfortunate reality in the illuminating report, Unintended Consequences: How Government Policies Hurt Oregon's Poor, by Martin L. Buchanan. In another report, Preserve Farmland Through Prosperity: Reforming Oregon's Land Use Laws, organic farmer Ann Brentmar shows how state land use restrictions can limit small farmers' business opportunities. Legislative reform passed in 1997 based on her findings.
Cascade Policy Institute encourages government to strive for a neutral approach when dealing with business and labor issues. Individuals and organizations should be free to voluntarily contract with one another as they deem fit, while being held accountable and responsible for their actions, respecting contract law and property rights.
