The tech sector does great things for the US economy. For example, IT made up 75 percent of US productivity growth from 1995 to 2002, and 44 percent from 2000 to 2006. In 2011, IT workers earned 75 percent more annually than non-tech workers. And, finally, tech made up 5.7 percent of the US workforce [...]

Late last week, the White House urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take control of how cable television companies use set-top boxes, presumably for the purpose of promoting competition. In a coordinated release, the administration issued a YouTube video and three documents — an Executive Order; a Council of Economic Advisors issue brief; and [...]

Often, an economist’s role in public policy is to explain obvious things that for some reason are being missed. This includes simple truths such as these: only a monopoly can have monopoly power, regulations should not outlive their purpose, and pushing prices below commercial levels generally decreases investment. These economic lessons could assist the Federal [...]

Indications are that Congress is likely to take up net neutrality once the court rules on whether the FCC overstepped in its 2015 Open Internet Order. The intent at least on the Senate side is to have strong net neutrality provisions. The House seems less likely to take that position. Are there ways to have [...]