Some states are having a hard time keeping current residents happy.
Out-migration from the Golden State more than doubled as the state experienced the largest reduction in population in the United States in 2021. Oregon also saw its first decline in population in almost 40 years. Further inland, in the Great Lakes region, Minnesota experienced its largest population decline in 30 years.
There are a number of factors that can help explain these declines. Some people might grow tired of Minnesota winters. Housing prices might be out of reach for many California residents.
But another contributing factor could be occupational licensing. Oregon and Minnesota both rank in the top 10 in terms of burdensome occupational licensing, according to the 2023 State Occupational Licensing Index report that we recently published. California just missed the top 10 list, clocking in at number 11 in the national ranking.
Continue reading at Southern California News Group.
Noah Trudeau, PhD, is a labor policy fellow at the Archbridge Institute and lead author of the institute’s “State Occupational Licensing Index.” He is an assistant professor of economics at Troy University. His research focuses on occupational regulation. When not working on regulatory studies, Noah studies and contributes to pedagogy for the classroom by designing new methods for encouraging student engagement. Dr. Trudeau earned his Ph.D. in economics from West Virginia University.
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
Some states are having a hard time keeping current residents happy.
Out-migration from the Golden State more than doubled as the state experienced the largest reduction in population in the United States in 2021. Oregon also saw its first decline in population in almost 40 years. Further inland, in the Great Lakes region, Minnesota experienced its largest population decline in 30 years.
There are a number of factors that can help explain these declines. Some people might grow tired of Minnesota winters. Housing prices might be out of reach for many California residents.
But another contributing factor could be occupational licensing. Oregon and Minnesota both rank in the top 10 in terms of burdensome occupational licensing, according to the 2023 State Occupational Licensing Index report that we recently published. California just missed the top 10 list, clocking in at number 11 in the national ranking.
Continue reading at Southern California News Group.
Noah Trudeau
Noah Trudeau, PhD, is a labor policy fellow at the Archbridge Institute and lead author of the institute’s “State Occupational Licensing Index.” He is an assistant professor of economics at Troy University. His research focuses on occupational regulation. When not working on regulatory studies, Noah studies and contributes to pedagogy for the classroom by designing new methods for encouraging student engagement. Dr. Trudeau earned his Ph.D. in economics from West Virginia University.
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.
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