Warner Todd Huston, writing on Big Journalism, is skewering a Michigan State Senator for introducing a bill to require that journalists be licensed.

Among other things, applicants would be required to have earned a degree in journalism or the substantial equivalent, whatever the heck that would be.

Huston is right that the First Amendment violation issue is the key objection, but the notion that a journalism degree or something similar should be required deserves criticism.  If there are to be any requirements at all, how about ten years running a business?  Substantial experience paying taxes?  Military experience?  A proven ability to stay off the dole?