Ted Balaker says: "Occupational licensing laws are implemented in the name of protecting consumers, but they're often pushed by established businesses to thwart competitors. They end up hurting poor and minority entrepreneurs, and stymie cultural innovations like African hair braiding and fish pedicures (which are popular in Asia). Practitioners of such services have been forced to comply with standard cosmetology licensing regulations, which are often costly, time consuming, and irrelevant to the services they're offering.

"In California, armed officers actually arrest landscapers, painters, and others seeking contract work. California's State Licensing Board recently completed it's 'Summer Blitz' operation. They set up sting operations all over the state and proudly post footage of the operation online."