Vivek Ramaswamy is running for governor of Ohio. He knows we have to fight regulations
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Mark Twain once said, “While Congress is in session, human life, freedom, or property is not safe.” In the 1800s, his wit was aimed at lawmakers, but if he was alive today, he would reserve his most keen criticism of unelected bureaucrats who wield more power than our elected officials. Unlike legislators, these regulators do not take a break. They are “in sessions” for 40 hours a week, quietly publishing rules that span almost every corner of American life.
Most Americans know that there is an overabundance of federal agencies, Washington’s infamous “alphabet soup.” However, the issue is equally widespread and perhaps even more dangerous in all 50 state capitals. The truth is simple. In America today, regulatory states are not solving the problem. That’s the problem.
Take me to my Ohio home. In Ohio, one state licensing board recently chased after a small Cincinnati engineering company. That attack? Ohio law requires only “full-time” engineers and while Ohio law requires no mention of employment status, Ohio law employs engineers who are licensed as independent contractors as independent employees.
Texas was poised to create their own version of Doge as the building passed through both rooms
The board’s decision was not based on the law. It was based on their own interpretations of rules. Thankfully, the Ohio Supreme Court is made up of justice that practices judicial binding, and in December 2022 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the court should not postpone to regulators that go beyond the obvious text of the law.
The fight for Ohio’s future should focus on reducing regulatory conditions. File: Ohio State Capitol Building, Columbus, Ohio. (Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
This was more than just a victory for one business. It was a victory for all entrepreneurs who were trying to navigate the stacked systems against them. Consider this: Ohio has 222 boards and commissions, each of which has Issuing rules and red tape. Every profession, from landscape architects to family therapists, is often burdened with arbitrary regulations.
Ohio Supreme Court decision Marking a turning point, the U.S. Supreme Court recently took a similar stance, marking the beginning of the end of Chevron’s respect.
Some people ask why I focused on policy efforts (previously as a presidential candidate and now as a candidate for governor of Ohio) on the administrative state. It is an esoteric concern for most Americans compared to more pressing concerns about the economy, jobs and wages. But the truth is that regulatory overgrowth is indeed the biggest obstacle to the economy itself.
Worse, regulatory machines often run independently of the governor or president. It became the “4th branch” that was not elected by the government. The founder never imagined, and the constitution is never permitted. In theory, our system is built on checks and balance. In reality, it’s often the bureaucracy does the check.
President Donald Trump’s efforts Restraining the federal bureaucracy has stirred up the hornet’s nest. As expected, the administrative state is fighting back. If elected governor, we expect a similar pushback in Columbus. But that doesn’t stop me because there are tools to restore accountability.
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By mid-2025, conservative Ohio leaders have made great strides in reducing burdensome regulations, including the mission of all state agencies to cut regulations by 30%, but we know we can do more. Like Trump’s 10-1 deregulation policy, I request that 10 rules be removed for all rules proposed by Ohio agencies. The Ohio Management Code has over 35,000 pages, eliminating the outdated and burdensome rules that keep growth under control.
Red tape takes time and not only money. Officials can stall permits and suffocate economic activity for several months, either through negligence or bias. That’s why I implement a strict timeline for decisions that allow decisions backed by actual results. The departments that do not follow will see their funds drop.
It also makes it easier for Ohio to stand up to state bureaucracy. Companies should be able to challenge agents in their home counties without being forced to drive to Columbus. And no one should be punished for acting in good faith. Simple mistakes should not lead to financial ruin.
Worse, regulatory machines often run independently of the governor or president. It became the “4th branch” that was not elected by the government. The founder never imagined, and the constitution is never permitted.
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Many of these ideas should also be adopted at the federal level. One outstanding example is the rein method. This requires Congress to approve major new federal regulations before they become effective. Ohio must follow the leads of neighbors like Indiana and Kentucky and pass state-level versions of the Raines Act.
Regulated states are the biggest threat to life, liberty and property in modern America. But the good news is that we know what to do. And with the right leadership, we can start doing it now.