Preserving the American Dream
More Work. Less Dependency.
Work is key to unlocking the American Dream, but it is under attack by ever-growing red tape at the state and federal level.
Outdated, expensive, and overly burdensome licensing regimes keep many from entering their desired profession, while local governments punish entrepreneurship by making it difficult to start a home-based business.
At the same time, bureaucrats still holding onto a slow, inflexible permitting process can stop economic expansion in its tracks—if even more regulations from unaccountable agencies haven’t already prevented progress before it could even begin.
The Biden administration has only made our economic climate worse by issuing more costly regulations than any other administration in modern history.
These barriers must be taken down to fill millions of open jobs, jumpstart the economy, and preserve the American Dream for generations to come.
The right policies to preserve the American Dream.
Licensing reform:
• Enact universal licensing to allow for the recognition of a person’s out-of-state license once residency is established and certain qualifications are met.
• Grant a license to a person who completes an apprenticeship in a state-licensed occupation or an occupation with a similar scope of practice.
• Require licensing boards to periodically expire unless reauthorized by the legislature and establish a policy requiring the least restrictive regulation necessary.
Permitting Reform:
• Prohibit local governments from requiring a special permit for home-based work, creating higher standards to start a home-based business, or requiring a permit for do-it-yourself projects.
• Set deadlines for building permit approvals by local governments. If deadlines are missed, require refunds on permit fees or automatically approve applications.
Regulatory Reform:
• Prevent unelected bureaucrats from making law through so-called “regulatory guidance.” Unadopted rules should be challenged, not carry the force of law.
• Require regulations to periodically sunset and require agencies to reevaluate and resubmit those through the established rulemaking process.
• Allow regulatory sandboxes to be established. Under these programs, start-ups can benefit from temporary exemptions to regulations in order to innovate.
The Foundation for Government Accountability is advancing proven solutions across the country to help millions reenter the workforce and move into better jobs with bigger paychecks.
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research
Fast Track to Success: How Florida Has Streamlined Its Permitting Processes To Cut Red Tape and Expand Housing
Other states should emulate Florida’s approach to streamline permitting processes, hold localities accountable, and put more money in the hands of homeowners.
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commentary
NC deserves a ‘shot clock’ for building permits — with consequences
If you miss a deadline, there’s a penalty. That’s a part of life for everyone… except for the government.
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one-pager
Universal Licensing Recognition
Occupational licenses and work experience are often not recognized when workers relocate to a new state. Workers whose jobs require a state-specific license are 36 percent less likely to move, reducing economic opportunity and mobility. This hurts: Help workers in transition by recognizing occupational licenses and work experience when issuing new licenses to relocating workers.
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Our Workforce and Entrepreneurship Solutions
Expanding the Workforce
- Grant Licenses to Experienced Professionals
- Allow Apprenticeships for Licensed Occupations
- Establish Sunrise and Sunset Reviews for Occupational Regulation
- Require Periodic Reauthorization for Occupational Licenses
- Treat Work Experience as Continuing Education
- Pre-Empt Local Licensing
- Waive Initial Licensing Fees
- Create A Regulatory Sandbox for Entry-Level Workers
Our Preserving the American Dream Experts
Our Latest Preserving the American Dream Research
At FGA, we don’t just talk about changing policy—we make it happen.
By partnering with FGA through a gift, you can create more policy change that returns America to a country where entrepreneurship thrives, personal responsibility is rewarded, and paychecks replace welfare checks.