Category Archives: Regulations and regulators

While PG&E Played a ‘Cat and Mouse Game’ With California Regulators, Where Was Kamala?

The WSJ account of how PG&E played a “cat and mouse game” with regulators; alas, California’s utilities commission “is not a particularly adroit cat.”

Trump Seeks to Revoke California Emissions Waiver

Trump looks to rollback California’s 1970 waiver under the Clean Air Act, which allowed the state to set emissions standards.

Alaska: Log, Mine, Drill, Despoil

While fires rage in the Amazon and Anchorage, Alaska, registers record high temperatures, the Trump administration makes plans to open the world’s largest intact temperate rain forest for exploitation.

Bill Black: Is it Cynical to Believe the System is Corrupt?

Bill Black presents evidence the system is corrupt and rigged against ordinary people – a sentiment with which a new poll shows many agree.

Marshall Auerback: We Are Clearly Living in a Bizarro Capitalism Era—And It’s Time to Change How the World Manages Economies

Central banks don’t have the tools to address our problems. It will take well-constructed fiscal policy to set right our topsy-turvy economy.

A European Perspective on Boeing’s 737 MAX Debacle: An “Existential Crisis” for a National Champion

Four existential threats to Boeing: Adverse court judgments, losing insurance retroactively, new competitors, and the end of today’s regulatory regime.

Flood the Market

Buyouts can save Houston’s flood-soaked homeowners — if they can get one. Instead, ordinary homeowners fail to qualify, and real estate speculators make out.

Robocalls: Your Number, Please

The players change, but the game remains the same: telephone companies agree to empty agreement intended to combat robocalls.

How New York City Has Worked to Protect People from the Deadliest Disaster: Heat

New York City has set out to protect people — and the planet — from heat.

Mark Blyth’s Incisive Post-Crisis Takedown: “A Brief History of How We Got Here and Why”

Mark Blyth gives a pithy talk on the economic regimes of the modern period and what is likely to be in store.

The Trump White House Is Upending Decades of Policy-Making Procedures

The Trump Administration really is making things up as it goes along.

Why We Need Publicly Owned Energy for a Green New Deal

Moving to zero carbon output requires a decentralized, publicly-owned energy system.

Private Equity: The Perps Behind Destructive Hospital Surprise Billing

How private equity ginned up yet another abuse.

Signs of Recession Are Hitting Europe—And Its New Central Bank President May Not Be Up for the Challenge

Europe, or more specifically the Eurozone, has a deficient bank regulatory framework which may be tested by economic weakness and wobbly banks. Having Christine Lagarde at the ECB’s helm is not likely to be a plus.