AF-Chicago: Reforming Occupational Licensing (Virtual)

In 1997, a Dallas woman named Isis Brantley was arrested for a crime that she had committed but had no idea was illegal: braiding hair without a license from the state. Despite not working with any chemicals or sharp objects, the state of Texas still claimed she needed a cosmetology license to operate her business.

Isis Brantley is just one example of how occupational licensing requirements put tedious and expensive obstacles in the path of people seeking to grow a business, feed their families and improve their lives.

How did these licensing requirements for jobs like hair braiding and flower arranging come to be? How do they unnecessarily make the lives of hard-working people more difficult and often keep people trapped in poverty? What are some success stories of reform or eliminating occupational licensing requirements?

Join AF-Chicago and R Street Institute’s Shoshana Weissmann for a conversation about the history and future of occupational licensing reform efforts in America.

This is a virtual event. Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link.