War, economic depressions, and other emergencies are seen as opportunities by big-government advocates and special interests to ratchet up the size and scope of government, as the Independent Institute’s (retired) Senior Fellow Robert Higgs demonstrated in his seminal book, "Crisis and Leviathan: Critical Episodes in the Growth of American Government." Sadly, the coronavirus outbreak is no different.

Independent Institute Sr. Fellow Williamson Evers says schools should bring back students as soon as possible and even put kids in summer school. Parents are becoming more comfortable with homeschooling, but research shows that all-distance learning to be difficult. Equipment issues and low requirements for teachers can make online learning problematic for families.

In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, Graham H. Walker (Executive Director) and Christopher J. Coyne (Senior Fellow) at the Independent Institute examine the folly and ominous impact of the consequent government-mandated shutdowns, multi-trillion dollar "stimulus" and welfare spending, attacks of constitutional and civil liberties, massive unemployment and business failures and skyrocketing federal debt. They then discuss the changes needed to reverse this dangerous development in order to restore liberty and human well-being.

An influential group of 151 economists and political scientists, are calling for the immediate suspension of California’s AB-5, a law that was passed in 2019 to regulate the use of independent contractors in a variety of activities. The "Open Letter to Suspend California AB-5" that is addressed to California Governor Gavin Newsom and all members of the California State Legislature, calls for the immediate suspension of the law, which prevents individuals from working part time in a variety of indispensable positions, especially during the coronavirus crisis. Each of the signatories is affiliated with one of forty colleges, universities, and think tanks in California.

The "Open Letter to Suspend California AB-5" that is addressed to California Governor Gavin Newsom and all members of the California State Legislature, calls for the immediate suspension of the law, which prevents individuals from working part time in a variety of indispensable positions, especially during the coronavirus crisis.

Sr. Fellow Bill Evers talks about why California’s law, AB5 should be suspended. He initiated an Open Letter to the Governor of California and the state’s legislature, signed by over 150 scholars, economists, and political scientists urging suspension of the law which is prohibiting freelance or “gig” workers to continue working as independent contractors and not as employees.

Sr. Fellow Williamson Evers appears on the John Phillips show to talk about the Independent Institute's Open Letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom and the state legislature to suspend AB5, the law which inhibits the freedom of "gig" workers by forcing employers to make all workers employees rather than contractors.

Graham H. Walker interviews Senior Fellow Dr. Stephen P. Halbrook on how the coronavirus shutdown is affecting the right to keep and bear arms at the federal, state, and local levels.