Corporate & Securities Law

When showing people where the Constitution is is a crime

A while back I stumped for my favorite public interest law firm, the Institute for Justice, and their work on behalf of monk casket makers. The latest suit filed by IJ involves a regulation in Washington, D.C. (similar to anti-competitive ones throughout the land) requiring a license to give a tour of the city. A description of the suit is available here. The plaintiffs, Tonia Edwards and Bill Main, run a business that takes people around Washington on Segway scooters, showing them the wonderful sights of our Nation’s Capital, including the National Archives, where the Constitution is on display. Not only are Ms. Edwards and Mr. Main doing a good thing by exposing tourists to our history, but they are running a business, employing people, buying stuff, like Segways, and creating wealth. This is a success story that should be shouted from the rooftops in this era of mass unemployment and a seemingly short supply of entrepreneurial zeal. But no. The city government of our Capital could fine the tour guides and send them to jail for up to 90 days for describing things to other people without a license. I’m sure the established tour companies like this regulation, but are consumers better off as a result? If Ms. Edwards and Mr. Main give lousy tours, filled with misinformation and run on scooters that break down, they will quickly go out of business; if they rock, they will (or should) grow to the limits of their imagination and the size of the market. There is no conceivable role for government here. None. Good luck Ms. Edwards and Mr. Main. Next time I’m in Washington, I’ll be sure to stop by for a tour.

Check out the IJ’s video on the case, here.

Full post as published by Truth on the Market on September 17, 2010 (boomark / email).