The Powell Perspective™

07/15/2025

Publius

Project 2025 and the Dismantling of the Administrative State

This article analyzes Project 2025's mandate to dismantle the administrative state through enhanced judicial oversight following the Supreme Court's Loper Bright decision, which overturned the Chevron Deference Doctrine. It explores how this shift aims to restore legislative policymaking primacy while limiting federal agencies' regulatory authority without explicit congressional authorization, fundamentally altering constitutional governance dynamics. Full article - https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/379782-the-project-2025-mandate-implications-for-the-administrative-state-and-the-u-s-constitution

Constitutional Constraints on Presidential Overreach Against States

This analysis examines doctrinal and structural constitutional safeguards against presidential overreach targeting state governments, emphasizing separation-of-powers principles beyond anti-commandeering doctrine. It argues these constitutional mechanisms serve as critical bulwarks preserving federalism and constraining executive power expansion during intergovernmental conflicts. Full article - https://statecourtreport.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/how-constitution-constrains-presidential-overreach-against-states

The RE Doctor

Real Estate Investment Opportunities in 2025

This article outlines how industrial real estate remains robust in 2025, driven by e-commerce logistics demand, with warehouse rents rising 61% since 2019 despite vacancy rate increases. It highlights how technology integration and sustainability upgrades are becoming critical for office sector recovery, alongside opportunities in mixed-use properties and public-private partnerships for affordable housing development.
https://www.ccim.com/real-estate-insights/blog/commercial-real-estate-2025-hurdles-and-horizons

Workforce Housing and Rental Market Expansion

Global housing shortages of 6.5 million units across 14 economies are accelerating a shift toward renting over homeownership in 2025, creating investment opportunities in multifamily and living sectors. The article emphasizes data center growth linked to renewable energy adoption and senior housing stability as key strategies, while noting market parallels to post-crisis recovery periods for commercial assets.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/2025-pivotal-year-market-recovery-commercial-real-estate/

Skier Tom

Snow Trainers 12 Week PSIA Certification Course

This article details the Snow Trainers' 12-week ski instructor certification program at Copper Mountain, Colorado, which prepares participants for PSIA-RM Level 1 and 2 exams. The course includes professional training by certified examiners, lift-line priority, video analysis sessions, and 12 weeks of accommodation in Frisco. Additional benefits encompass cafeteria access, local transport, and coverage of PSIA-RM membership fees.
Full article - www.snowtrainers.com/product/12-week-level-1-2-certification-course-ski-usa/

PSIA Junior Instructor Program at Maple Ski Ridge

This piece outlines Maple Ski Ridge's PSIA Junior Instructor Program for ages 12–14, which combines online coursework with on-snow training to develop future instructors. Participants complete PSIA e-learning modules, 12 hours of on-snow training, and 6 hours of lesson shadowing. Successful graduates earn national recognition as Junior Instructors and are guaranteed instructor positions at the resort if aged 14+ by November 2025.
Full article - www.mapleskiridge.com/psia-junior-instructor-ski-program

Founder's Paradox

The Perils of Founder Worship

This article examines the risks of idolizing startup founders, which can undermine governance and increase litigation exposure. It advocates for early adoption of governance standards, startup-specific ethics codes, rigorous VC due diligence, traditional board structures, and proactive regulatory compliance in high-risk sectors. Using FTX's collapse as a case study, it argues that unchecked founder control jeopardizes stakeholders and necessitates legal accountability. Full article - https://clsbluesky.law.columbia.edu/2025/05/20/the-perils-of-founder-worship/

Start Smart: Founder-Proof Your Startup

Focusing on litigation prevention, this piece details legal strategies to mitigate founder-related risks through robust corporate governance. Key recommendations include establishing an independent board of directors, enforcing formal meeting protocols with documented minutes, and eliminating passive directors. These measures aim to align stakeholder interests, ensure objective decision-making, and build investor trust by separating management from oversight. Full article - https://www.svrlawyers.com/news-highlights-posts/2025/2/6/start-smart-founder-proof-your-startup

Secrets of Capital Raising

100 Surprising Financial Modeling Facts & Statistics [2025]

This article details key trends in financial modeling for 2025, highlighting that 75% of financial institutions now integrate AI to enhance forecasting accuracy and risk analysis, while 93% of executives rely on models for strategic decisions. It notes the shift from Excel to Python/R for handling big data and automated workflows, alongside automation handling 65% of repetitive tasks like data aggregation. The piece underscores AI's role in boosting efficiency and scenario planning across finance. Full article - https://digitaldefynd.com/IQ/financial-modeling-statistics/

Private equity 2025: Market shifts and investor priorities

The article explores evolving private equity dynamics in 2025, emphasizing challenges like regulatory uncertainty and sluggish M&A activity alongside opportunities in co-investments and direct lending. It reveals that limited partners now prioritize tangible returns, with distributions to paid-in capital (DPI) becoming the key metric over traditional ROI. The piece also discusses sector-specific trends in energy/renewables infrastructure and adaptation strategies for margin pressures. Full article - https://www.ocorian.com/knowledge-hub/insights/private-equity-2025-market-shifts-and-investor-priorities