Finally, Ando finds that Fish and Wildlife's priority index also has an effect. Species with higher Fish and Wildlife priorities are more likely to reach the proposal stage and to get there more quickly. During the second key phase, the proposal period, a slightly different set of forces takes precedence. This means that controversial species are likely to achieve endangered status the fastest. The bad news is that a process that is supposed to be purely scientific and above partisan politics appears to be subject to the same sorts of political pressure that drive other regulatory processes.
Powerful legislators can influence the bureaucracy to move in ways that suit their interests.
The good news is that despite Congress's admonition against taking into account the costs and benefits of a listing, proponents and opponents of a decision are able to make their voices heard by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Whether the resulting decisions reflect any sensible balancing of these costs and benefits remains a question as yet unanswered. Reference Ando, Amy Whritenour. 1999. Daniel K. Benjamin is a PERC Senior Associate and Professor of Economics at Clemson University. PERC Reports, Vol.