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The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is pleased to host monthly Issues & Ideas Luncheons in Lansing. These luncheons, which feature experts on a diverse array of subjects, offer a forum that enhances and broadens the policy debate to include theoretical and philosophical ideals—and suggestions for achieving them.
Legislative staff, policy specialists, and other interested friends are cordially invited to our
featuring
Thomas W. Hazlett
Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
Former Chief Economist for the Federal Communications Commission
DATE:
Wednesday, December 3, 2003
TIME:
12:00 - 1:15 p.m.
LOCATION:
The Mackinac Room, 5th Floor
House Office Building
124 North Capitol, LansingCOST:
Lunch is provided at no charge,
with reservation.
The federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 was supposed to unleash competition in local calling services. But good intentions do not necessarily produce beneficial results. The 10,000 pages of regulations subsequently issued to administer the act have failed to achieve the goals set by Congress. Now the telecom industry is mired in a financial crisis that threatens network reliability and U.S. competitiveness, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is foisting upon states more regulatory responsibility.
Few know the issues as well as Thomas W. Hazlett, former chief economist for the FCC and currently a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Dr. Hazlett will provide valuable insight into the regulatory missteps that are undermining the telecom industry, and offer positive alternatives for Michigan policy-makers.
Dr. Hazlett received his Ph.D. in economics from U.C.L.A. While a professor at the University of California, Davis, he directed the school’s program on telecommunications policy. In 1991-92, he was chief economist for the Federal Communications Commission. In addition to his work at the Manhattan Institute, he is a senior research associate at the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information and a fellow of the AEI-Brookings Joint Center for Regulatory Studies.
The luncheon begins promptly at 12:00 noon. Please make reservations for yourself and any guests by noon on December 1, 2003, by calling the Mackinac Center at (989) 631-0900 or send your e-mail to: rsvp@mackinac.org.
The Purpose of the Issues & Ideas Luncheon
The nature of the legislative process is such that public policy debates are often framed by specific constituencies and political pragmatism rather than sound principles. By offering a forum for wide-ranging discussion, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy hopes to broaden the debate to include theoretical and philosophical ideals—and how to achieve them. The best interests of Michigan citizens can only be served when legislation incorporates our best understanding of legal, economic, psychological, moral and scientific principles.
