New report cites 'regulatory tsunami' under Obama

cnredd · #1 (**permalink**) 09-14-2011, 04:42 PM

Some still won't believe...

Quote:

The number and scope of federal regulations, along with the costs of those regulations and the number of federal regulators, are all growing despite an executive order from President Obama that was touted as a measure to curb over-regulation, according to a new report by the House Government Oversight and Reform Committee.

The report says the Obama administration has "imposed 75 new major regulations costing more than $380 billion over ten years." In addition, the report says there are 219 more "economically significant regulations" in the works which will cost businesses $100 million or more each year -- for a minimum cost of $21 billion over ten years. The number of pages in the Federal Register, in which such rules are recorded, is increasing rapidly, the report says, and "pages devoted to final rules rose by 20 percent between 2009 and 2010, and proposed rules have increased from 2,044 in 2009 to 2,439 in 2010."

"The Obama administration has created a regulatory environment that is suffocating America's entrepreneurs' ability to create jobs and grow business," writes committee chairman Rep. Darrell Issa, Republican from California. "The result has been a regulatory tsunami that has stifled productivity, wages, job creation and economic growth."

Among the examples listed in the committee report are so-called "sue and settle" agreements in which regulatory agencies work with activist groups to impose new burdens on businesses. The report focuses on the Environmental Protection Agency's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which was designed to limit exposure to lead-based paints in houses built before 1978. Imposed in 2008 -- before the Obama administration came to power -- the rule required that renovations to older homes be done by EPA-certified contractors following EPA-dictated procedures. But the rule contained an opt-out provision: If a homeowner filed a certificate saying there were no pregnant women or children under six years of age in the home, the renovations could go forward without the certification. But that changed under when the Obama administration came to Washington. Several environmental groups challenged the opt-out provision, and the Obama EPA chose not to defend it, working with environmentalists in 2009 to fashion a settlement removing the opt-out provision. Now, all homeowners who renovate are required to go through the costly procedures.

The report says homeowners, eager to avoid extra costs imposed by the rule, often perform renovations themselves or hire non-certified renovators who will do the work for less than certified firms. The report cites a Seattle, Washington construction company owner named Ryann Day who says he has lost business to competitors who ignore the rule. "Homeowners who do accept his bid are forced to pay an additional 20 percent surcharge if their homes were built before 1978," the report says. Day has lost between ten and 20 jobs because of the rule, according to the report, and "as a result, he chose not to hire an additional employee and lost approximately $15,000 to $20,000 in business."

The report includes other examples from regulations concerning Obamacare, the Securities & Exchange Commission, clean water regulations, grain inspection, and other areas. Costly regulations have increased, the report charges, despite Executive Order 13563, issued by Obama in January 2011 to weed out rules that "stifle job creation and make our economy less competitive." The report does not specifically charge that the administration is deliberately undermining its own regulatory cleanup initiative, but that will be an obvious conclusion to many readers

Coyote · #2 (**permalink**) 09-14-2011, 07:53 PM

Since about 2001, the government has systematically dismantled slews of regulations - cutting regulations everything from environment to Wall Street. A chunk of the economic collapse can be laid at the feet of financial de-regulation. Given all that, and the Republican's zero tolerance policy for regulations or accountability in the business world, I can understand why a measly bunch of new regulations seems like a "tsumami" (oh the hyperbole)

Gordon Shumway · #3 (**permalink**) 09-14-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyote

Since about 2001, the government has systematically dismantled slews of regulations - cutting regulations everything from environment to Wall Street. A chunk of the economic collapse can be laid at the feet of financial de-regulation. Given all that, and the Republican's zero tolerance policy for regulations or accountability in the business world, I can understand why a measly bunch of new regulations seems like a "tsumami" (oh the hyperbole)

you assertion isn't supported by reality.

Bush's Regulatory Kiss-Off - Reason Magazine

Quote:

Overall, the final outcome of this Republican regulation has been a significant increase in regulatory activity and cost since 2001. The number of pages added to the Federal Register, which lists all new regulations, reached an all-time high of 78,090 in 2007, up from 64,438 in 2001.

while it's true that new regulations did slow down under Bush he certainly wasn't the deregulator some want to believe he was --- regulations reached an ALL TIME HIGH --- just happens to be why so many conservatives don't consider "W" a conservative.

Coyote · #4 (**permalink**) 09-14-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon Shumway

you assertion isn't supported by reality.

Bush's Regulatory Kiss-Off - Reason Magazine

while it's true that new regulations did slow down under Bush he certainly wasn't the deregulator some want to believe he was --- regulations reached an ALL TIME HIGH --- just happens to be why so many conservatives don't consider "W" a conservative.

I'm not talking about Bush in particular - in fact, I didn't even mention his name. De-regulation has been ongoing since Reagan. The particularly disasterous bit of legislation affecting the banking industry took place at the end of 1999 under Clinton with a Republican Congress: Clinton, Republicans agree to deregulation of US financial system That meant it took effect over the next few years. However, it doesn't sound as if Bush added much if any regulations to the banking industry did he? It seems a lot of the new regulations were post-9/11 and security related.

AK Gandy · #5 (**permalink**) 09-14-2011, 08:33 PM

The actual number of regulations means very little.

It is the overall impact of the regulation that matters.

And not every regulation that costs an industry additional money (even a lot of money), is bad by any means.

If someone thinks it is, do a little research on EPA regulations.

Although they have cost a lot of different industries money...it has also eliminated rivers catching on fire, reduced cancer causing dumps, etc., etc.

The tricky part is doing a cost benefit analysis, that accurately reflects the benefit.

Some people don't think having a stream with healthy fish in it is worth a couple hundred thousand dollars.

I personally do.

.

Mikeyy · #6 (**permalink**) 09-14-2011, 08:48 PM

I read the article and it sounds more anecdotal to me. Byron York quoting Darrel Issa? Really? This is a rightwing hit piece. BTW there is as much drilling in the gulf today as there was before. For all those who pay attention.

Drilling in Gulf of Mexico Rebounds After Spill - WSJ.com

bfd · #7 (**permalink**) 09-14-2011, 08:57 PM

Rubber,oil, But 600 TRILLION in outstanding derivatives? Kiss my ass. That is blantant finger pointing, it ain't at the republicans and it isn't the pointy finger.

cnredd · #8 (**permalink**) 09-15-2011, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyote

the Republican's zero tolerance policy for regulations or accountability in the business world

Done...

Last week I wrote this...

Quote:

I'm generalizing here, but Liberals always push to regulate everything, but the second they hear the word "deregulate" from the Right, instead of understanding it's real-life application (rescind some of them), they go to the technical-application and think the Right wants to rescind ALL of them as if the Right advocates complete chaos...

You don't even need to believe me in a solitary way...Just read Coyote's post and you'll see the proof...

Now is there anyone who can post without the hyperbole?...

Gordon Shumway · #9 (**permalink**) 09-15-2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyote

I'm not talking about Bush in particular - in fact, I didn't even mention his name. De-regulation has been ongoing since Reagan. The particularly disasterous bit of legislation affecting the banking industry took place at the end of 1999 under Clinton with a Republican Congress: Clinton, Republicans agree to deregulation of US financial system That meant it took effect over the next few years. However, it doesn't sound as if Bush added much if any regulations to the banking industry did he? It seems a lot of the new regulations were post-9/11 and security related.

you started your last response; to which I was responding; with...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyote

Since about 2001, the government has systematically dismantled slews of regulations - cutting regulations everything from environment to Wall Street...

I guess since 2001 there was another president besides Bush (& Obama since 2009) that I'm unaware of

but yeah go ahead & amend what you initially stated

typical

Coyote · #10 (**permalink**) 09-15-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnredd

Done...

Last week I wrote this...

You don't even need to believe me in a solitary way...Just read Coyote's post and you'll see the proof...

Now is there anyone who can post without the hyperbole?...

I can if I'm in the mood - can you? I'm sorry but any OP starting with the terms "regulatory tsunami" is, frankly - hyperbole

I don't believe in regulating everything - I think there needs to be a balance - to much regulation stifles innovation and the economy; too little injures the individual and the environment.

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