Scott Beyer

Jan 19, 2025 | catalyst.independent.org | Scott Beyer

Dangerous wildfires aren’t new to Southern California, but this year’s catastrophe in Los Angeles hit particularly hard. As of this writing, at least 25 people have died, and whole neighborhoods have been destroyed, amounting to 12,000 structures overall. The state’s actions made the crisis worse, both in terms of the negligence that led to the fires and the poor response. Voluntary and market-based practices are proving more agile and resilient.

Dec 2, 2024 | catalyst.independent.org | Scott Beyer

There was a time when America ruled car manufacturing and sales. Detroit’s “Big Three”—Ford, General Motors and Chrysler—set the pace for the global auto industry, accounting in the 1950s for 80% of sales. But today, automotive dominance increasingly comes from China. It produces 30% of cars, which is over double that of the U.S. Its brands now account for more than 50% of global EV sales.

Nov 15, 2024 | catalyst.independent.org | Scott Beyer

Urban policy is, theoretically, supposed to be a state and local issue in the U.S. But the federal government always has its way of butting into these issues. This can be good or bad depending on who has power in Washington and what any given individual thinks of them. For lovers of liberty in general and market urbanism specifically, this upcoming Trump presidency has promise, given his record in the first term.

Oct 23, 2024 | catalyst.independent.org | Scott Beyer

The intense back-to-back hurricanes that hit the Southeast this fall were devastating. Hurricane Helene destroyed homes, knocked out power for weeks, and rendered roads impassible, submerging whole communities in flooding. Then, Hurricane Milton devastated Florida, with 18 inches of rain falling in St. Petersburg. This has reopened the perennial debate about building in flood-prone areas like Florida, which is made more common by federal insurance policy.

Oct 17, 2024 | governing.com | Emily Hamilton |Alan Ehrenhalt |Erin Norman |Scott Beyer

But tucked above the garage is a two-bedroom apartment, where his daughter and granddaughter live. It’s the first accessory dwelling unit to be built since the town of Newmarket, N.H., eased its housing rules last year. The idea isn’t new: For generations, some homes included extra units, sometimes called granny flats or in-law suites.