Cass Sunstein Resigns

by Stuart Shapiro

In a story that will get some attention, but not nearly as much as it deserves, Obama administration “Regulatory Czar” Cass Sunstein resigned today to return to Harvard Law School where he is a professor.  Sunstein has been the target of strong reactions, pro and con, from both sides of the aisle.  He was an early target of Glenn Beck and, once in office, has been assailed by progressive groups claiming he slowed down public health regulations.  The Obama administration praised Sunstein’s work today as did the Chamber of Commerce.

From my vantage point, as someone who used to work in the office that Sunstein ran (and continues to research regulatory issues), Sunstein did a fantastic job balancing the myriad policy questions and political pressures that surround regulation.  He will be missed.

By: Stuart Shapiro

Stuart is a professor and the Director of the Public Policy
program at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers
University. He teaches economics and cost-benefit analysis and studies
regulation in the United States at both the federal and state levels.
Prior to coming to Rutgers, Stuart worked for five years at the Office
of Management and Budget in Washington under Presidents Clinton and
George W. Bush.