Indiana’s brand-new Republican Governor Mike Pence, after being inaugurated on Monday, quickly made it his first move to enact a regulatory moratorium to help fight unemployment. Take note, Washington:
The former House Republican Conference chairman issued an executive order suspending Indiana’s rulemaking process shortly after he was sworn in Monday. The measure is designed to lower the cost of doing business and encourage hiring in the state, where the 8.2 percent unemployment rate is slightly higher than the national average.
“Over several decades the proliferation of administrative rules and regulations at all levels of government has increased the complexity and expense of economic life,” the order says. “Reducing this regulatory burden will promote citizens’ freedom to engage in individual, family and business pursuits.”
In addition to directing state agencies to halt any rulemaking activity indefinitely, the order requires the state’s budget office to evaluate existing rules and put forth recommendations for which should be repealed, beginning with the most onerous.