Missouri, like many states, has a big problem increasing its workforce. New legislation under consideration in the Senate can make a big difference.
According to the latest data from the US Chamber of Commerce, Missouri has 92 workers for every 100 workers. In short, the state simply doesn’t have enough workers to fill open positions.
One policy that restricts worker entry into the state is occupational licensing. Occupational licensing makes it illegal for an individual to work in a job before getting a permission slip from Jefferson City.
In a recent national report that I coauthor, we note that Missouri licenses 123 of the 254 occupations we examine. Nationally, this puts the state in a strong position, only trailing Kansas for having the least restrictions.
But that doesn’t mean Missouri legislators should celebrate a job well done and not take aggressive action to block new unnecessary licensing and also take a hard look at its existing licensing restrictions. Special interests in the state are always seeking ways to exploit government protection for personal gain.
This is where SB 1439 comes into the picture. This bill, also titled the "Missouri Entrepreneurial Freedom Restoration Act," would help make sure that Missouri doesn’t create new barriers to people achieving the American dream in the state. It also creates a mechanism for elimination of unnecessary licenses in the state.
Continue reading at The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Edward Timmons, PhD, is Vice President of Policy at the Archbridge Institute. He leads the institute's economic policy strategy, identifying focus areas and disseminating work to key stakeholders and policymakers. His own research focuses on labor economics and regulatory policy; he is regularly asked to provide expert testimony to U.S. states on occupational licensing reform and the practice authority of nurse practitioners. Dr. Timmons received his Ph.D. in economics from Lehigh University and his B.A. in economics and actuarial science from Lebanon Valley College. He publishes a weekly newsletter on Substack with the latest research and policy insights surrounding occupational licensing.
Economics of Flourishing
Missouri, like many states, has a big problem increasing its workforce. New legislation under consideration in the Senate can make a big difference.
According to the latest data from the US Chamber of Commerce, Missouri has 92 workers for every 100 workers. In short, the state simply doesn’t have enough workers to fill open positions.
One policy that restricts worker entry into the state is occupational licensing. Occupational licensing makes it illegal for an individual to work in a job before getting a permission slip from Jefferson City.
In a recent national report that I coauthor, we note that Missouri licenses 123 of the 254 occupations we examine. Nationally, this puts the state in a strong position, only trailing Kansas for having the least restrictions.
But that doesn’t mean Missouri legislators should celebrate a job well done and not take aggressive action to block new unnecessary licensing and also take a hard look at its existing licensing restrictions. Special interests in the state are always seeking ways to exploit government protection for personal gain.
This is where SB 1439 comes into the picture. This bill, also titled the "Missouri Entrepreneurial Freedom Restoration Act," would help make sure that Missouri doesn’t create new barriers to people achieving the American dream in the state. It also creates a mechanism for elimination of unnecessary licenses in the state.
Continue reading at The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Edward Timmons
Edward Timmons, PhD, is Vice President of Policy at the Archbridge Institute. He leads the institute's economic policy strategy, identifying focus areas and disseminating work to key stakeholders and policymakers. His own research focuses on labor economics and regulatory policy; he is regularly asked to provide expert testimony to U.S. states on occupational licensing reform and the practice authority of nurse practitioners. Dr. Timmons received his Ph.D. in economics from Lehigh University and his B.A. in economics and actuarial science from Lebanon Valley College. He publishes a weekly newsletter on Substack with the latest research and policy insights surrounding occupational licensing.
Share:
Related Posts
Texas Can Reduce More Barriers to Occupational Licenses
State Licensing Boards Should Stop Giving Military Families the Run-Around
Why a One-Time Wealth Tax Would Be a Permanent Problem for California