California High-Speed Rail Cost Overruns Reveal Persistent Challenges With Large-Scale Government Infrastructure Projects

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Costs many multiples above voter-approved estimates raise questions about original project planning California High-Speed Rail Cost Overruns Reveal Persistent Challenges With Large-Scale Government Infrastructure Projects California’s high-speed rail project, now facing costs many multiples above original voter-approved estimates and a timeline ext

California’s Wildfire Insurance Market Collapse Reveals Consequences of Rate Regulation Amid Rising Risk

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Major insurers exit the state as rate regulation prevents pricing reflecting genuine wildfire risk California’s Wildfire Insurance Market Collapse Reveals Consequences of Rate Regulation Amid Rising Risk California’s wildfire insurance market continues experiencing significant contraction, with major insurers reducing coverage availability or exiti

California Small Business Regulatory Compliance Costs Continue Outpacing National Averages Substantially

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Fixed compliance costs create disproportionate per-employee burden for smaller enterprises California Small Business Regulatory Compliance Costs Continue Outpacing National Averages Substantially California small businesses continue facing regulatory compliance costs substantially exceeding national averages, a persistent pattern free-market busine

California Marine Protected Area Fishing Restrictions Draw Continued Criticism From Commercial and Recreational Fishing Communities

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Fishing restrictions cover areas critics argue lack clear location-specific scientific justification California Marine Protected Area Fishing Restrictions Draw Continued Criticism From Commercial and Recreational Fishing Communities California’s extensive network of marine protected areas, which prohibit or severely restrict fishing across substant

California’s Coastal Commission and the Housing Crisis: Assessing Whether Environmental Review Has Become a Barrier to Affordability

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Free-market advocates cite permitting delays while coastal access defenders maintain oversight protects public trust values California’s Coastal Commission and the Housing Crisis: Assessing Whether Environmental Review Has Become a Barrier to Affordability SANTA MONICA, Calif. – As California’s housing affordability crisis continues deepening, libe

California’s Occupational Licensing Regime: Assessing Whether Barriers to Entry Protect Consumers or Restrict Competition

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Free-market economists cite competition barriers while licensing boards defend competency and safety justifications California’s Occupational Licensing Regime: Assessing Whether Barriers to Entry Protect Consumers or Restrict Competition SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As California maintains one of the nation’s most extensive occupational licensing systems,

California’s Homelessness Policy Debate: Assessing Public Space Regulation and Housing-First Approaches

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Housing supply advocates cite zoning constraints while enforcement advocates raise public space and accountability concerns California’s Homelessness Policy Debate: Assessing Public Space Regulation and Housing-First Approaches LOS ANGELES – As California continues grappling with the nation’s largest homeless population, libertarian and free-market

California’s Water Rights System: Assessing Whether Market Mechanisms Could Improve Drought Resilience

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Market advocates cite allocation inefficiencies while agricultural and environmental interests defend current rights protections California’s Water Rights System: Assessing Whether Market Mechanisms Could Improve Drought Resilience SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As California continues cycling through periods of severe drought, free-market economists and wat

California’s Gig Worker Classification Fight: Assessing AB5’s Effects on Independent Contractors and Platform Businesses

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Free-market advocates cite worker flexibility preferences while labor advocates raise misclassification protection concerns California’s Gig Worker Classification Fight: Assessing AB5’s Effects on Independent Contractors and Platform Businesses SAN FRANCISCO – As California continues implementing its landmark AB5 worker classification law and subse

California’s Statewide Rent Cap Under AB 1482: Assessing Whether Moderate Rent Regulation Achieves Its Intended Balance

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Market economists cite investment distortion concerns while tenant advocates defend the cap’s displacement protections California’s Statewide Rent Cap Under AB 1482: Assessing Whether Moderate Rent Regulation Achieves Its Intended Balance SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As California’s statewide rent cap under AB 1482 continues limiting annual rent increases

Surfing Access and Coastal Permitting: Assessing How California’s Regulatory Framework Affects Beach Access and Local Surf Culture

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Surf industry advocates cite permitting delays while environmental regulators defend coastal ecosystem protections Surfing Access and Coastal Permitting: Assessing How California’s Regulatory Framework Affects Beach Access and Local Surf Culture MALIBU, Calif. – As California’s surf communities continue navigating complex coastal permitting rules a

Proposition 13 at Nearly Fifty: Assessing California’s Landmark Property Tax Limit’s Legacy

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Taxpayer advocates defend predictability protections while critics cite housing lock-in and generational equity concerns Proposition 13 at Nearly Fifty: Assessing California’s Landmark Property Tax Limit’s Legacy SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As California’s Proposition 13 property tax limitation approaches its fiftieth anniversary, free-market tax policy a

California’s Drug Policy Crossroads: Assessing Decriminalization Efforts Amid the Fentanyl Crisis

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Decriminalization advocates cite Portugal’s model while a growing coalition argues fentanyl demands renewed enforcement California’s Drug Policy Crossroads: Assessing Decriminalization Efforts Amid the Fentanyl Crisis SAN FRANCISCO – As California continues confronting a severe fentanyl overdose crisis, libertarian drug policy advocates continue ar

California’s Offshore Wind Push: Assessing Permitting Challenges Facing the State’s Renewable Energy Ambitions

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Energy advocates across the spectrum cite permitting delays while fishing and environmental interests defend thorough review California’s Offshore Wind Push: Assessing Permitting Challenges Facing the State’s Renewable Energy Ambitions MORRO BAY, Calif. – As California pursues ambitious offshore wind development off its central coast to meet renewa

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