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Reining in Pharmacy Middlemen
PBMs use several tactics to undermine competition and monopolize the prescription market. In some cases, they impose mandatory mail-order clauses on health plans and their customers, compelling people to obtain certain prescriptions through the mail rather than from a local pharmacy. PBMs commonly offer independent pharmacies take-it-or-leave it contracts that force them to either accept reimbursement rates that leave them losing money on some prescriptions or be left out of an insurer’s network altogether.… Read More
ILSR Submits Comments as Federal Trade Commission Embarks on a Rare Review of Its Antitrust Policy
In a series of hearings this fall, the Federal Trade Commission will examine whether it should be doing more to check concentrated economic power. ILSR has submitted comments to the agency that highlight the impact of concentration on independent businesses and outline the dangers of Amazon’s platform power. … Read More
Running for Congress on an Anti-Monopoly Platform (Episode 53)
Host Stacy Mitchell is joined by Austin Frerick, former Iowa congressional candidate, to discuss election campaigns that focus on challenging concentrated power. … Read More
In Boston, City Council Members Introduce Proposal to Regulate Chain Stores
Boston is the latest city to introduce a formula business proposal, which would make national chains a conditional use throughout the city. … Read More
In Book Review for Washington Monthly, Stacy Mitchell on “The Truth About Big Business”
In the July-August issue of “Washington Monthly” magazine, ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell rebuts a new book’s claims that the monopolization of the U.S. economy is a good thing. As she does so, Stacy also mounts a vigorous counter-argument, explaining how economic policy has tilted the playing field in favor of bigness, but how small businesses perform critical functions that big businesses can’t.… Read More
Why Care about Independent, Locally Owned Businesses?
Locally owned businesses play a central role in healthy communities and are among the best engines that cities and towns have for advancing economic opportunity and building resilient places. Here, we outline five important reasons for local officials to support independent businesses, based on a growing body of research.… Read More
New Toolkit Helps Independent Businesses Advocate for Policies that Support the Local Economy
When independent businesses meet with their local officials, they help build the mindset that independent businesses matter. A new Local Policy Action Toolkit created by ILSR with the Advocates for Independent Business coalition offers independent business owners and retailers concrete tips for engaging with their city officials and advocating for policies that strengthen and grow local businesses. By advocating for policy change, independent business owners can help create a stronger local economy.… Read More
Report: Amazon’s Next Frontier: Your City’s Purchasing
Amazon recently secured a national contract that opens the way for billions of dollars in local government spending to shift to the company, but there’s been virtually no reporting on the deal. In this new report, we examine the contract and Amazon’s push to capture local government spending, and find concerns — including that the contract leaves local governments at risk of being ripped off, and sets Amazon up to expand its monopoly power. We conclude by offering examples of local governments that are choosing to reject Amazon’s deal.… Read More
As Amazon Moves to Capture Local Government Spending, Here’s What You Can Do
A recent contract opens the way for billions of dollars in local government spending to shift to Amazon. The good news is that, for concerned citizens and public officials, Amazon’s push into the public sector offers a way to take action at the local level and start a concrete conversation about Amazon’s power and what we should do about it. In this fact sheet, we outline three strategies to use to take action.… Read More
With Antitrust Ruling, Supreme Court Underscores Need for New Anti-Monopoly Movement
The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the case Ohio v. American Express makes even more clear the importance of the growing movement of citizens and elected officials to restore U.S. antitrust laws to their original strength and purpose, and to tackle the power of Big Tech head-on through new policies.… Read More
In a Win for Independent Businesses, U.S. Supreme Court Rules for Sales Tax Fairness
On Thursday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for states to require out-of-state and online retailers to collect state sales taxes. It’s an important day for independent businesses: After years of being forced to compete at a significant price disadvantage, locally owned businesses finally have a shot at a more level playing field when it comes to sales tax.… Read More
Come Work With Us! Seeking a Researcher & Writer for ILSR’s Community-Scaled Economy Initiative
We’re hiring! We’re excited to announce a job opening for a Research Associate with our Community-Scaled Economy program, which challenges concentrated corporate power and advocates for policies to rebuild the economic power and capacity of local communities. This is a terrific opportunity for someone passionate about building just, sustainable, and local economies. Take a look at the full job posting, and please do help us spread the word about the opening.… Read More
Listen: ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell Talks Amazon with Gaby Dunn on “Bad With Money” Podcast
ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell was recently a guest on the popular podcast “Bad With Money,” where she talked with host Gaby Dunn about Amazon and monopoly power.… Read More
Adaptive Reuse of Commercial Buildings
Neighborhoods with a variety of buildings of different ages, and especially those with historic buildings, can offer a built environment that’s well-suited to independent businesses. The challenge is that, in many cases, historic commercial buildings have become vacant and fallen into disrepair—and may be difficult for startups or independent entrepreneurs to retrofit, bring up to code, and re-occupy. A tool known as adaptive reuse can provide modest incentivizes and reduce these barriers to retrofitting historic buildings, ultimately facilitating the growth of local businesses.… Read More
Listen: ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell Talks Amazon and Antitrust on “The Majority Report” with Sam Seder
ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell recently joined host Sam Seder to talk Amazon and monopoly power on the popular podcast, “The Majority Report.” Sparked by Stacy’s recent cover story on Amazon in The Nation, Stacy and Sam’s conversation covers Amazon’s role as an infrastructure company, the dramatic shift that occurred in U.S. antitrust policy, and six proposals to rein in today’s monopolies.… Read More