HB 217: Creating a Legal Structure to Encourage Innovation
This bill creates an all-inclusive regulatory sandbox so innovative companies and business models can be shielded temporarily from punishment for coming into conflict with outdated laws or regulations.
Don’t forget tax reform for small businesses
A pioneer-era tax that's still on the books requires business owners to count up their property each year and pay a tax on it. It's time to repeal it.
Why you shouldn’t fear the peer-to-peer economy
Utah’s Constitution requires a free market, yet every year it seems that incumbent companies use antiquated laws to try to shut down their upstart competitors.
The State of Economic Freedom in Utah
Utah has become very good at winning what could be called, “best of the worst” awards: “Best Managed State”, “Best State for Business”, “Best Economic Outlook." But as a deeper reading of the recently published Fraser Institute’s...
The 2016 Real State of the State
Last night, Governor Gary Herbert addressed government officials and members of the public to deliver his annual “State of the State” address. He touched on job creation, education, air quality, self-reliance, and...
Crony Capitalism: America’s Cancer Epidemic
America has cancer. I’m not talking about the various forms of deadly and debilitating biological cancer that many American’s suffer and die from, like those often related to years of smoking. No, I am talking about a cancer...
Politicians, or Economic Prognosticators? The Convention Center Bill Provides an Answer
Last year’s convention center subsidy proposal is back, and it passed unanimously out of committee yesterday. Remarks made during the discussion make clear our point, once again, that legislators should not be economic...
Selling Our Birthright for a Mess of Pottage
The following op-ed by our president Connor Boyack was published in today’s Standard Examiner. If you remember your Bible stories, you’ll recall Esau and Jacob, the twin sons of Isaac and grandsons of Abraham. By being born...
TRT—Come On, It’s Free!
According to the Utah State Tax Commission, a transient room tax (TRT) can be imposed by a county, city, or town. TRT is essentially a tax on hotel rooms (hotels, motels, inns, trailer courts, campgrounds, etc…)....