People of Minnesota - a new candle of freedom is aflame in our dark nanny state... a new voice sounding in the repressive silence... a glimmer of hope for some respite from a life of constraint.

I've written many times about repressive laws, most recently about laws that we won't even be aware of until we accidentally break one and feel the hammer of blind justice give us a hard rap on the noggin. There is no end to laws and regulations, especially in the Grand Protectorate of Minnesota, where we the people are consistently deemed, by "those who know better", too stupid to take care of ourselves, too evil to be allowed to roam free, and too helpless to defend ourselves.

The news is that the libertarian law firm Institute for Justice is officially in business here in Minnesota, and my friend Lee McGrath, Executive Director, has filed their first local suit, in Hennepin County District Court on behalf of three Minnesota hairbraiders, challenging the State's hairbraiding licensing scheme.

Briefly, Minnesota law requires that hairbraiders acquire a cosmetology license to practice, spending 10 months and $15,000 to attend a school that won't even teach the skills of hairbraiding.

In case you hadn't noticed, almost all humans have hair, in great quantities, in a vast variety of stylings, and it grows continually. There is no way to avoid dealing with hair. Lots of people cut their own (I have for 15 years) and it's not hard to find women brushing, combing, curling and perming each other's hair. Every woman seems to have her own favorite hair-fixer; some are in salons, some are a neighbor or relative. Many men shave their heads as a manageable way to handle their own inevitable hair growth. Hair has been present and important since some caveman noticed that he couldn't hunt if his hair blocked his vision, and whacked it off. We've been working on our hair ever since then... cutting it, curling it, binding it, shaving it, covering it, and braiding it.

A bit of history:

Hair braiding is an ancient art, handed down from generation to generation in Africa. The origins of the art form can be traced back to Egypt as far as 3500 BCE. Each region of Africa has its own traditional styles, and each tribe its distinctive aesthetics. Hair-braiding is often an immensely time-consuming activity: some styles can take an entire day or more to create. Among those who have already mastered the art, there is an informal reciprocity to the practice: if someone braids your hair, you are expected to braid hers in return.

Hair braiding, especially the complex, intricate kind that takes many hours is just about the most natural personal service business one can imagine. It takes only two people... one with hair, one with skill, and it's something you just can't do for yourself. Ouila! An easy, quick business service to perform.

Why does one need a cosmetology license to do hairbraiding? Who would come up with such a requirement to inflict on a skill that has been practiced for centuries?

Regular readers already know the answer... such laws were instigated by those already IN the cosmetology business, as a means of restricting competition. Such laws also create a booming business of cosmetology schools. Attend an approved school or operate illegally and face the law.

Just last July 28th, Governor Tim Pawlenty announced the appointment of Donna Ruhland, Robert Salmonson and Susan Schaefer to the Board of Barber and Cosmetologist Examiners.

Ruhland, of Robbinsdale, owns and operates part of Crossings Skyway Barbers in Minneapolis. Salmonson and his wife, of Rice, have been the owners and operators of Roffler Family Hair Center in Sauk Rapids since 1979. Schaefer, of New Brighton, is the education manager for Regency Beauty Institute in Blaine.

The Board of Barber and Cosmetologist Examiners oversees the administration, enforcement, regulation, and adoption of rules regulating the barber and cosmetologist professions. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor, including three barbers, three cosmetologists and one public member.

Do you believe that barbers and cosmetologists already in business want to make it easy for new competitors in their industry? You don't suppose that more restrictive licensing benefits those, like Schaefer, who run beauty schools? Can you say "conflict of interest"?

Just for our edification, here are the specifics on Cosmetology Licenses:

Licenses are issued for three years and renew on December 31 of the appropriate year. To obtain a license, all applicants must complete required education, and pass a written test and a skills test. The education required for the various licenses is: cosmetologist - 1,500 hours; manicurist - 350 hours; esthetician - 600 hours. To obtain a salon manager license, 2,700 hours of work experience and a written test are required. To renew an active cosmetology license, 1,800 hours of work experience are required. To renew an instructor license, 45 hours of continuing education are required. License fees for the various licenses are: cosmetologists - $45 (initial license) and $30 (renewal); manicurists $45 and $30; estheticians $45 and $30; managers $60 and $45; salons $65 and $50; instructors $60 and $45. The Enforcement Division inspects salons and cosmetology schools and investigates complaints from the public.

Suppose these two Minnesota bad boys patronize only licensed cosmetologists?

There's a very good chance that the IJ lawsuit for the hairbraiders will succeed... IJ has won similar cases in several other states, including Mississippi on just Tuesday of this week. Hairbraiders, though, are just one group, among thousands, facing similar oppressive, anti-competitive messes created by our legislators in response to lobbying efforts by entrenched businesses. It's just one form of corporate welfare, purchased with contributions to our two controlling major political parties. Again, don't make the mistake of blaming the businesses... it's the legislators who have the power to make the oppression happen, and they also have the power to say NO. It won't happen until we demand it of candidates.