Job Killing Regulations?

David Brooks, writing in the New York Times ( Dec. 5, 2011) discusses the issue. Presidential candidates would have us believe our economic mess is due to excessive regulations that are job killers. Brooks reminds us of the down side of painting any issue with a broad brush.

He states that the Bureau of Labor Statistics asked companies why they laid off workers. Only 13% said regulations were a major factor. And that number has not increased in the past two years. According to the bureau, roughly 0.18% of the mass lay offs in the first half of 2011 were attributable to regulations.

Brooks goes on to state that - in fact - some industries that are subject to new rules have been doing more hiring. Examples: energy and health care. end