By Andje Louis The internet and related technologies–smartphones, computers, search engines, social media platforms–have become ingrained tools in everyday life. As more services and resources are made available online, digital inequality has come to mirror income and healthcare gaps among the world’s more marginalized populations, such as low-income and underrepresented groups. While most people use … Continue reading Does Digital Learning Level the Economic Playing Field for Marginalized Groups?
Expanded Voucher Programs May Lead to Greater Neighborhood Diversity
By Danielle Waidley Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation (H.B. 7045) greatly expanding Florida’s already pioneering school choice programs at the end of the state legislature’s 2021 session. This expansion will likely be a boon for parents and children looking for alternatives to conventional public schools. But more attention should be given to another unintended … Continue reading Expanded Voucher Programs May Lead to Greater Neighborhood Diversity
Anti-Price Gouging Laws Hinder Hurricane Recovery Efforts
By Giovanna da Silva Last year, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma brought price gouging back into the national spotlight. During and after Hurricane Irma, the Florida Attorney General, Pam Bondi, received over 14,000 complaints of price gouging. While there are 10 active ongoing investigations of price gouging, only one case has been resolved since December. Price … Continue reading Anti-Price Gouging Laws Hinder Hurricane Recovery Efforts
Regulation of Ride Sharing Services Unnecessary Based on Evidence
By Justin Langford The emergence of ridesharing has revolutionized the transportation industry. By providing an online interface to connect passengers to drivers nearby, Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft offer an inexpensive and convenient alternative to traditional taxi services. The rise of TNCs, however, has brought about criticism among legislators and attempts … Continue reading Regulation of Ride Sharing Services Unnecessary Based on Evidence
The Jones Act is Sinking the Growth of American Industries
By Giovanna DaSilva The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly referred to as the Jones Act, is a law enacted to protect the United States’ maritime industry, regulate commerce, and bolster national defense. While well-intentioned, the act fails to reflect the current needs of the United States. Repealing the Jones Act would prove beneficial to … Continue reading The Jones Act is Sinking the Growth of American Industries
Challenges to Privatizing Flood Insurance
Giovanna Dasilva The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), implemented in 1968 to address a market failure in the flood insurance sector, has been the subject of scrutiny following hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Increasing the scope of the private sector has often been cited as a potential solution to the NFIP’s pitfalls. However, there are challenges … Continue reading Challenges to Privatizing Flood Insurance
After this Hurricane Season, We Need to Rethink Flood Insurance
Giovanna Dasilva With the national spotlight on flooding caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has come under scrutiny. The federal program primarily focuses on offering flood insurance coverage and reducing the impact of flood damage. The NFIP was established in 1968 to counteract a market failure on the … Continue reading After this Hurricane Season, We Need to Rethink Flood Insurance
Regulation of Uber, Lyft Should Be Local, Not Statewide
By Matt Kelly It seems that everywhere Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies (TNCs) set up shop, trouble with local regulators follows. The situation in Florida has been no different. The Uber vs. taxi debate has been so heated that state lawmakers have proposed legislation (HB 509) to simply regulate all vehicles for … Continue reading Regulation of Uber, Lyft Should Be Local, Not Statewide
Pricing Water in Florida
By Tyler Worthington As Florida’s population grows it will have to address a multitude of new problems, including stress on water supplies. States like California have experienced severe water shortages in recent years, and mismanagement has exacerbated this problem. Because California does not accurately price water, it has been misallocated. In Florida, The Turkey Point … Continue reading Pricing Water in Florida
Florida Legislators Seek To Clarify Ridesharing Regulations
By Matt Kelly The ridesharing technology company Uber has created quite a controversy overthe past year for its unprecedented disruption of the traditional taxi industry. Users praise the California-based company for shorter wait times and cheap fares, along with features like its driver rating system. Given the mobile app’s popularity with customers, many are now … Continue reading Florida Legislators Seek To Clarify Ridesharing Regulations
Depopulation of Citizens Property Insurance Should Continue
By Matt Kelly On February 17th, 2015, Florida state Senator Anitere Flores filed SB 1006, which would place restrictions on shifting insurance policies from state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to private sector insurers. Citizens’ policyholders would be notified before being transferred to private insurers, who would be barred from increasing premiums more than 10% annually … Continue reading Depopulation of Citizens Property Insurance Should Continue
New Study Tests the Merits of Surge Pricing
By Matt Kelly As Uber, Lyft and other “ridesharing” services continue to revolutionize the urban transportation landscape, more complaints are surfacing questioning the efficiency and fairness of the innovative services they provide. One of the more recent is “surge pricing,” the idea that services provided during peak periods carry a higher charge or fee. A … Continue reading New Study Tests the Merits of Surge Pricing
Why do Workers Support The Minimum Wage?
Original post date: February 03, 2014 Article by: Ben Douglas One of the more peculiar political phenomena of our time is the widespread support of minimum wage laws among unskilled labor, particularly service workers in low-wage industries such as hotels, restaurants, and retail shops. This is likely to increase with President Obama’s push to increase … Continue reading Why do Workers Support The Minimum Wage?
Transit Reform in Santiago: Part II
Original post date: October 22, 2013 Article by: Ben Douglas 5/16/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. The success of any endeavor is dependent upon the metric being used. If the goal of transit reform in Santiago, Chile was the elimination of profit from transit and the homogenization of bus … Continue reading Transit Reform in Santiago: Part II