Downsizing Blog
Governments Make Flooding Worse
Government policies encourage Americans to live in risky places on seacoasts and along flood-prone rivers.
Federal Disaster Spending Boosted by Politics/Population
Despite rising federal deficits, Congress is set to pass another budget-busting spending bill. This time it is a $19 billion package of disaster-related subsidies.
Private Airport Security Screening
The federal government nationalized security screening at the nation’s more than 400 commercial airports in 2001 when it created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Privatize to Mitigate Shutdown Damage
Political battles would not impact important activities if they were separated from the federal government.
Border Wall Costs Rising
The Office of Management and Budget recently argued that the proposed $5.7 billion would pay for 234 miles of a border barrier at a cost of $24.4 million per mile.
Are the Carolinas Ready for Hurricane Florence?
As Hurricane Florence spins toward the Carolina coast, the nation’s attention will be on the disaster readiness and response of governments and the affected communities.
Counterterrorism Spending
The Stimson Center’s new study group report found that the federal government spent about $2.8 trillion on counterterrorism activities since 9/11.
TSA Still Awful After 17 Years
It has been 17 years since the federal government took over security screening at the nation’s airports, and they still haven’t figured out how to schedule more screeners during busy times.
The Dubious Defense of the Jones Act
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly known as the Jones Act, is impossible to defend with a straight face.
In Regulation: The Jones Act’s Bloody Cost
After some sorely needed scrutiny, the Trump administration has just announced that it will temporarily suspend an ugly piece of corporate welfare in order to speed aid to hurricane-stricken Puerto Rico.