FSU Speech, RGGI Column, Fight for Freelancers
Here's the latest dispatch.
Good morning,
Happy New Year! I hope you’re feeling 2022. I know I am.
For you newbies out there, welcome to Outsider on the Inside. I hope this dispatch from in and around the nation’s capital on underreported topics finds you well.
If you’re just discovering my musings, here’s a backgrounder.
See Me Speak at FSU on 1/26
I’ve got an announcement to exclusively share with you today: I’m speaking at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL on Wednesday, January 26th, 2022, at 5:30pm ET.
In-person. Yes, you read that right.
Below are details about my forthcoming remarks.
If you’re in the area and interested in attending, join us. I plan to discuss what 2022 holds for gun rights — the upcoming New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen case, permit-less carry, trends pointing to more gun ownership— and much more.
Once details are available on the campus website, I’ll share them here.
Thank you to Lauren, Addy, and other student leaders for hosting me. Can’t wait to come to campus!
Exiting RGGI is a Win for Virginia producers and consumers
Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin announced his intention to make energy more affordable for Virginians by withdrawing Virginia from the controversial 11-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
He recently told the Hampton Roads Chambers of Commerce he’ll remove Virginia from the initiative by executive action once he enters office in January.
“RGGI describes itself as a regional market for carbon, but it is really a carbon tax that is fully passed on to ratepayers. It’s a bad deal for Virginians. It’s a bad deal for Virginia businesses,” Youngkin said. “I promised to lower the cost of living in Virginia, and this is just the beginning.”
On the merits, Youngkin is correct. A timely withdrawal from this flawed carbon market, which isn’t inherently market-based, will benefit all Virginians given its vast shortcomings.
Republicans Must Fight for Freelancers in 2022
Republican candidates can win in November if they prioritize important issues. Chief among them are supporting the freelance economy and opposing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
The GOP can appeal to disaffected independents and Democrats who feel voiceless without moderating their conservative beliefs. Here in Virginia, freelancers and their allies, alike, are making their voices heard by opposing bad bills.
If Republicans want to win, they should join the fight for freelancers now.
The Current Status of Freelancing in America
Freelancing is pro-family, pro-freedom, pro-free market— the very essence of conservatism.
Men and women who freelance better prioritize their family and business needs. Freedom and flexibility draw participants in. And we, self-described champions of liberty, can extol these values.
59 million Americans (36 percent of the workforce) are flexible workers, either full-time or part-time. Contrast that with unionized workers who only comprise 10.8 percent of the U.S. workforce.
There are more unincorporated self-employed individuals today. 500,000 workers joined their ranks, bringing the total to 9.44 million.
Despite the fears associated with “The Great Resignation”—a phenomenon described as mass resignation from the workforce— there is a silver lining: 10 million may soon enter the freelance economy.
Decentralization of the workplace is inevitable. And it shouldn’t be shunned. Therefore, Republicans must be on the frontlines opposing policies that undermine the gig economy.
Podcasts You May Have Missed
Here are District of Conservation podcasts you may have glossed over.
Thank you for reading! Let me know your thoughts and encourage your friends to subscribe to the newsletter too.
—Gabriella