The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) and 10 research and educational institutions filed an amicus curiae brief in Expressions Hair Design, et. al., v. Eric T. Schneiderman, et.al, opposing state “swipe fee” laws to ban surcharges that pass through the costs imposed by credit-card companies and banks for credit-card transactions. The brief was filed in the Supreme Court of the United States.
“Swipe-fee labels convey truthful information about prices, which is in the public’s best interest to know,” said TPPF General Counsel Robert Henneke. “Businesses should be free to inform their customers of all the costs associated with a transaction. This information is speech, which is protected by the First Amendment. A Supreme Court declaration that these state laws are unconstitutional will result in greater transparency and freedom in the marketplace.”
“Businesses use the government to limit competition at the expense of consumers is many different ways,” said TPPF Vice President for Research and Director of the Center for Economic Freedom Bill Peacock. “In this case, it is by restricting the free speech of merchants and their ability to fully inform consumers. The Supreme Court should strike this ban and allow merchants to convey truthful information about prices to consumers.”
A to read the amicus curiae brief in its entirety, please visit: http://txpo.li/2gcexrJ
To schedule an interview with Mr. Henneke or Mr. Peacock please contact Caroline Espinosa at [email protected] or 512-472-2700.
The Honorable Robert Henneke is general counsel and director of the Center for the American Future at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Bill Peacock is vice president for research and director of the Center for Economic Freedom at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Registration for the 2017 Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature is now open to media and the public!
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin, Texas.