The right to use our talents, skills, and labor to earn a living is essential to freedom because it allows us to be independent, productive members of society. But government is increasingly forcing us to get permission to practice a trade, or start a business. The Goldwater Institute is working to restore the presumption that people are free to pursue an honest living without first asking permission from government, and that government must prove it needs to regulate before it may stifle economic freedom.
Jobs & Economy
Recent Highlights
The Pursuit of Happiness Is a Fundamental Right
Economic freedom is a constitutional right built into the fabric of the ideals upon which our nation was founded. Unfortunately, courts have relegated it to a kind of second-class status over the years. Now, in a lawsuit...
Goldwater Fights Special Interests’ Deceptive Debt Cancellation Scheme
Arizona is ground zero for yet another deceptive ballot initiative that would inflict untold economic damage on the state—and the Goldwater Institute is again fighting back. In an effort to do to Arizona’s economy...
Tennessee Stopped Her from Earning a Living – So We’re Defending Her Rights in Court
Government bureaucrats have no business stopping qualified professionals from doing their jobs. But that’s exactly what the Tennessee state government’s Board of Law Examiners did to Violaine Panasci, an attorney who...
Opportunity Awaits: Here’s How Americans Are Finding the Economic Freedom They Crave
“Brace yourself” for an economic “hurricane,” says JPMorgan Chase’s CEO Jamie Dimon, who recently weighed in on the daunting economic headwinds looming just over America’s horizon. With that kind of fore...
Military Families Succeed Thanks to Goldwater
Bureaucratic red tape that differs from state to state hits military families hard. As a result, military spouses face an unemployment rate that is nearly six times higher than the general population.
Goldwater’s Breaking Down Barriers to Work Act is helping military families succeed. Our law recognizes that military members and their families do not forget how to practice their trade or profession just because they move across state lines. And it provides much-needed relief to those who are putting their lives on the line for our freedom. Learn more about how we are Breaking Down Barriers to Work for Military Families.
More About Our Work on Jobs and the Economy
Breaking Down Barriers to Work
While politicians of all stripes talk of the need to “create more jobs,” about one in four jobs in America requires an occupational license — a government permission slip to work. These licenses are expensive, demand time-consuming training, and are subject to requirements that vary from state to state. The Goldwater Institute has a solution to this problem: the Breaking Down Barriers to Work Act. Learn more about it here.
Fighting Taxes
As Washington is trying to raise taxes by trillions of dollars, the Goldwater Institute is showing America how to keep taxes low and the economy strong. Goldwater defeated one of the largest tax hikes in America, won the battle for a flat tax in Arizona, and made it one of the lowest-tax states in the country. Read more about our victory.
Defending Home-based Businesses
Working from home has been the norm for much of America’s history. Yet today, local governments are restricting Americans’ ability to start home-based businesses. The Goldwater Institute’s Home-Based Business Fairness Act is a state reform that says people who work from home without disturbing their residential neighborhoods can do so, without seeking a costly and time-consuming home occupation license. Learn more about it here.
More Issues
Property Rights
Goldwater is protecting a cornerstone of Americans’ liberty: the right to own and use their property as they see fit.
Jobs & Economy
When government stands in the way of people who just want to pursue their career, Goldwater breaks down barriers to work.
Free Speech
Free speech is under attack in America. But Goldwater is leading the fight to protect Americans’ right to speak their minds.
Healthcare
Goldwater is unleashing innovation in healthcare, fighting to protect and expand patient choice, access, and affordability.
Constitutional Rights
Anytime government threatens to trample the U.S. Constitution, Goldwater is ready to go to court to defend our rights.
Limited Government
Goldwater takes down cronyism, sweetheart deals, and government overreach so Americans are treated fairly and equally.
Education
Goldwater is expanding school choice nationwide so families can get their children the education they deserve.
Academic Transparency
Parents have a right to know what's being taught in the classroom, and we're defending that right.
Donate Now
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Donate NowSince 1988, the Goldwater Institute has been in the liberty business — defending and promoting freedom, and achieving more than 400 victories in all 50 states. Donate today to help support our mission.
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