Tim Carman reports on a libertarian think tank's fight to free mobile vendors from the constraints of overregulation:
The Institute for Justice, a self-described "libertarian public-interest law firm," launched its new National Street Vending Initiative early this year in Texas and has since expanded it to Atlanta (where city officials had decided to reserve all public property for a single vending company) and Chicago (where aldermen have proposed rules so severe, they could cut off vending in the entire downtown area).
The Institute for Justice's "Streets of Dreams" report from July looks at vending regulations in America's 50 most populous cities. The economic argument for more mobile vendors:
Due to the recent recession, interest in vending as a solution to job losses is growing once again. The co-director of New York City’s Street Vendor Project, Michael Wells, recently said he handled a surge of calls from people who were trying to find a way to make a living after losing their jobs or being laid off. He estimates that up to 10,000 jobs could be created if New York City increased the number of available permits to accommodate those who are currently on New York’s waitlist.
Katherine Mangu-Ward looks at cities where food trucks are thriving.
The Dish 