Gov. Greg Abbott orders state agencies to reduce licensing regulations, cut fees

[TexasTowelie]

by Emma Platoff, Texas Tribune


Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies to review and overhaul their licensing requirements, with an eye toward providing Texans “the opportunity to earn a living free from unnecessary state intrusion.”

In an Oct. 8 letter to the heads of state agencies, signed by the Republican governor himself, Abbott directed agencies to trim licensing regulations, reduce fees and educational requirements for certain professions, and, “where appropriate,” remove licensing barriers for individuals with criminal records. He set a Dec. 1 deadline for agencies to tell his office which steps they plan to take. There are hundreds of professional licenses in Texas — from tow truck operators to physicians to laser hair removal technicians.

“Reforming Texas’s occupational-licensing rules must be a priority for all state leaders,” Abbott wrote in the letter, which was obtained by The Texas Tribune. “Sensible licensing rules, when necessary, can protect the public from legitimate harm, but overbroad rules stymie innovation, raise consumer prices, and limit economic opportunity. Overly burdensome licensing rules also discourage individuals from pursuing professions or prevent the unemployed — or former inmates who have paid their debt to society — from building a better life.”

Several state agencies confirmed they received the letter and are preparing their responses. The governor’s office declined to comment further on the letter.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/11/22/greg-abbott-reduce-regulations-cut-fees/

[AJT]

1. This could be a good thing, of dealt with rationally.

I'm sure there are a number of silly, burdensome rules and regulations that can be changed or eliminated . Let's hope this process is done well.

[TexasTowelie]

2. It will be an interesting time to see if they are more concerned about cutting fees

or cutting jobs. I agree that if the fees are too high or the amount of education required to obtain a license is unreasonable, then some cuts are necessary. I also think that some of the provisions to allow people with criminal records to work in certain occupations would be of benefit to some people so I can support that idea.

[AJT]

3. Of course this Abbott so it could easily go horribly wrong.

[LastDemocratInSC]

4. I want to be a dentist.

I got me a good drill and drill bits from Harbor Freight and have watched plenty of dental surgery videos on YouTube. If that doesn't work out I'll become an airline pilot based on my experience landing tiny battery-powered drones next to my cat, without waking him up.