DC Tours - Capitol News Connection

Power Breakfast on Capitol News Connection NPR (September 16, 2010)

IJ’s Robert McNamara appears on NPR’s Power Breakfast to discuss the filing of a First Amendment challenge to D.C.’s unconstitutional tour guide licensing laws. (September 16, 2010)

Transcript

Elizabeth Wynne Johnson: Good morning, I’m Elizabeth Wynne Johnson; this is Power Breakfast from Capitol News Connection.

from phlebotomist to florist, a growing range of occupations require a license of some sort.  

Robert McNamara: The US is in the midst of an absolute explosion in occupational licensing.  

Robert McNamara is an attorney with the Libertarian-minded Institute for Justice.  

Robert McNamara: And we’re actually at the point where there is nothing the government thinks you should be allowed to do without first getting its permission, and that apparently includes ‘describe things.’

Elizabeth Wynne Johnson: Today he’s filing a federal lawsuit – to prevent the DC government from enforcing an old law that requires tour guides to be licensed.  To be clear, the law doesn’t actually impose a fine or threaten jail time simply for speaking without a license. It applies to those who peddle their sightseeing services for a fee.  

That’s Power Breakfast from Capitol News Connection.