Op-Ed: Here’s One Commonsense Reform to Put American Workers First

This article originally appeared in Daily Caller on March 3, 2023

America First is not a slogan. It is a call to action to restore and strengthen the ideals that made America the most powerful economy in the world. After two years of significant economic hardship in the form of decades-high inflation and unprecedented labor shortages, it is time to once again prioritize the interests of workers and small businesses — not bureaucrats or connected insiders — in the policymaking process. America First leadership that gives a voice to those who have become all too accustomed to being pushed aside is desperately needed throughout the entire country, both at the federal and state level. Despite the dystopian policies coming out of Washington, D.C., some shining examples of state leaders seizing the mantle of leadership do exist. In South Dakota and Virginia, Governor Kristi Noem and Governor Glenn Youngkin have shepherded bills on occupational licensing reform in their states that streamline the process for workers to make a living as they see fit.

Occupational licensing refers to the credentialing process that many jobseekers, small businesses, and self-employed individuals must navigate to be allowed to conduct their trade or craft. Though it is natural to associate this process with occupations that involve high stakes and the potential for serious harm resulting from unqualified practitioners, occupational licensing is actually far more pervasive. Occupational licensing requirements — overseen and managed by the states — apply to therapists, cosmetologists, and beyond. The millions of people who seek these credentials all across the country are often critical to their communities — providing important services to their neighbors, creating and filling jobs, and significantly contributing to commerce in their regions...

Read full op-ed in Daily Caller