Last month, Ohio governor Mike Dewine signed a two-year budget after immense debate in the state legislature. While most media attention is focused on the four-percent income tax cut and increased spending for education and children’s services, less noticed has been the most ambitious and innovative part of the budget—a regulatory relief provision. Ohio is one of the most heavily regulated states in America with roughly 100,000 more restrictions than the average state. In The Wall Street Journal, James Broughel explains that while regulatory reform has been a priority at the federal level, states around the country have proven to be more effective. 

A trade deal between the United States and Brazil was once unfathomable, but now may be closer to becoming reality. In the past 20 years, Brazil has filed numerous cases against the US with the World Trade Organization. If the two leaders can move past these recent squabbles and tame special interests, a good trade deal could reduce bilateral trade costs, lead to lower tariffs, and address behind-the-border barriers, writes Christine McDaniel in The Hill.

A recent long-term budget projection by the Congressional Budget Office informed Congress that if they don't control spending, there will be increased risk for a financial crisis. One way to avoid this impending crisis could be to implement fiscal rules, but they must be designed in a way that would prevent members of Congress from lifting or ignoring them as they have in the past. Countries around the world have implemented prudent budget rules or policies; Veronique de Rugy and Jack Salmon review four examples of countries with successful implementations of fiscal rules at The Fiscal Times.

President Trump signed a broad executive order on June 25, which instructed his administration to find ways to remove barriers to affordable housing. Besides tweaking some regulations, the federal government holds little power over the implementation of zoning codes by cities and states. In e21, Salim Furth outlines a brief history of zoning regulations and explains why the US needs a more flexible approach in order to make affordable housing more accessible.