Introducing competition into Texas’ retail and wholesale electricity markets has made Texas the greatest success story in the United States-if not the world-by moving away from the model of heavily regulated public utilities.
Housing Is Too Expensive. Blame Your Local Tree Ordinance.
Matthew Bernard wanted to build a home. He bought a small lot in Oakland, California, and began clearing several diseased and fallen trees that the local fire department had identified as hazards. The result was a $915,000 “mitigation fee” from the city of Oakland—nearly five times the value of the lot itself. Under Oakland’s tree ordinance,...