Cato Daily Dispatch for November 16, 2001
Feds To Take Over Airport SecurityInternet Sales Tax Moratorium Expanded
Man Gets Life For Growing Pot
Feds To Take Over Airport Security
Lawmakers agreed yesterday to replace the private contractors that screen passengers and bags at the nation's airports with federal employees within a year, ending a contentious month-long debate over how to guard against future terrorist attacks in the air, according to The Washington Post.
The legislative compromise, which is expected to be easily approved in both houses of Congress today, is part of a much broader package overhauling the nation's aviation security system. In addition to creating a new federal workforce, the bill calls for strengthening cockpit doors, placing federal sky marshals on flights, and inspecting all checked and carry-on luggage for weapons and explosives.
In "The Case Against Federalizing Airport Security," Richard W. Rahn explains that if the federal government took over this airport security function, it would have a monopoly on the activity. "We all know that monopolies are bad, because they resist innovation, result in higher costs and poorer service, and tend to engage in cover-ups for their own mistakes and deficiencies," he says.
Internet Sales Tax Moratorium Expanded
The Senate gave final congressional approval yesterday to legislation that would extend for two years a ban on Internet-related taxes, according to the Associated Press.
Already passed by the House, the bill was sent to President Bush on a voice vote. It would renew a prohibition that lasted three years but expired Oct. 21. The White House said the president would sign the bill.
Senators rejected an amendment that could have led to future collection of state taxes on Internet sales and even Internet access. The proposal would have required a congressional vote to allow sales tax collections after 20 states agreed to collect for one another.
In a three-part series of Cato's TechKnowledge newsletter, Aaron Lukas and Adam Thierer tackle the net tax issue. Their articles and all of Cato's research on Internet taxation are available online.
Man Gets Life For Growing Pot
A Dale, Ind., man received a life prison sentence yesterday for growing marijuana in Michigan, according to The Evansville Courier and Press.
Robinson's life sentence was ordered by U.S. District Judge David Lawson in Bay City, Mich. Authorities say the drug charge on which Robinson was convicted normally carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years, but it was upgraded in his case because of two prior felony drug convictions.
The marijuana farming operation is believed to be one of the biggest ever discovered in Michigan. Federal authorities say Chad Robinson, 45, of Dale, purchased a 75-acre farm in Sanilac County, Mich., where marijuana worth millions of dollars was produced in 1995 and 1996.
In "Population Bomb Behind Bars," Director of the Project on Criminal Justice Timothy Lynch comments on the fact that the number of incarcerated people surpassed 2 million for the first time last year year due mostly to non-violent drug offenses. Lynch is the editor of the new Cato book, "After Prohibition: An Adult Approach to Drug Policies in the 21st Century," which explores alternative approaches to drug policy. The book includes a compelling chapter by Julie Stewart on federal mandatory minimums.
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