Posts tagged regulatory
Why the Term ‘ESG’ Is Disappearing — But the Practices Remain
June 22, 2025 // In 2023, Vincent Vernuccio claimed “You will be hearing less and less about ESG. They are still going to be doing it. But they are just not calling it ESG.” I was surprised to hear that back then. Nearly two years later, it is time to examine how this prediction has unfolded. What has changed in corporate communication, investment trends, and regulatory landscapes? And how do developments in the United States compare to those in Europe, where ESG is subject to increasing scrutiny and reform?
Backgrounder: Trump Civil Service Reform Proposed Rule
April 27, 2025 // On April 23, 2025, OPM proposed a new rule to improve accountability for federal career employees, especially those in policy roles. The rule implements President Trump’s Executive Order 14171, which he signed on his first day in office. Executive Order 14171 explicitly directed OPM to render civil service regulations implemented during the Biden administration inoperative, citing the President’s authority to manage the executive branch. Among other things, the rule would create a new job category called Schedule Policy/Career in the excepted service for policy-influencing positions, making them at-will employees and, therefore, meaningfully accountable for their performance and conduct.
Op-ed: Big Labor Eats Small Business in California
August 31, 2022 // America’s leading antibusiness policy incubator, also known as the state of California, is at it again. The state Assembly passed the so-called FAST Recovery Act in January. It was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Aug. 11. The next stop will be a vote on the Senate floor, followed by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. If the bill becomes law, it will drive up fast-food prices as much as 22% and wipe out the franchise business model, which provides nearly 800,000 jobs in the state.
Editorial: Biden’s favors to unions keep costing taxpayers
March 16, 2022 // Pitching the executive order as a cost saver is disingenuous, as collective bargaining inherently drives up costs. It’s the same faulty logic used to defend prevailing wage laws that force union-level pay and benefits on publicly funded construction projects.