Ethan Allen Institute - Commentaries and Fiscal Reports
The Challenge for Change Dream World
The vaunted "Challenge for Change" bill promises $37.8 million in General Fund savings in FY2011. The more notable outcome will be a new commission's report on what went wrong with the grand plan. The next Governor needs to create a totally independent commission to reexamine what state government is spending money on, and how much goes beyond the taxpayers' capacity to pay for it. (June 2010)
Continue the Carnage! http://www.ethanallen.org/html/general.html#ContinueTheCarnage
In light of the current fiscal mega-crunch, Gov. Douglas plans to terminate some 61 boards and commissions - 44 of them already defunct. That's good - but there are many more that deserve the axe. (March 9, 2010)
As 2010 began, state government faced a General Fund shortfall of $154 million. Here are selected commentaries and analysis from the Ethan Allen Institute and the Public Assets Institute on how the legislature should address this important issue. Note: the two institutes approach this issue from very different perspectives!
Special Feature: EAI's John McClaughry and PAI's Paul Cillo discuss the fiscal crunch with the editors of Seven Days.
http://www.7dvt.com/2010sizing-vermont (Jan. 13, 2010)
Crossing the State's Fiscal Chasm: the PSG Report http://www.ethanallen.org/html/general.html#CrossingTheStatesFiscalChasm
The legislature hired a Minnesota-based consulting group to explain how Vermont can avoid its yawning fiscal chasm. Its inadequate report has become a fiscal fig leaf for the principal actors in the state house. (January 12, 2010)
Charting a Path Away from Insolvency http://www.ethanallen.org/html/general.html#Charting%20a%20Path%20Away%20from%20Insolvency
Vermont is seven years behind the power curve for a fundamental reconceptualization of the core functions of government. Revenue shortfalls now mean that we can't keep on the old way. Fortunately, some key legislators have gotten the message. (December 29, 2009)
State Spending: Totally Unsustainable http://www.ethanallen.org/html/general.html#State%20Spending
Vermont state government is facing $470 million general fund shortfall over the next four years - plus over $2 billion in long term actuarial deficits for benefit plans. Vermont's liberal politics has created a government spending machine that is now far outstripping the capacity of already overburdened Vermont taxpayers to keep it running. (November 17, 2009)
Off the Rails: Changing Demographics, Changing Economics, Accumulating Obligations: How Will Vermont Cope with a Challenging Future? This report (pdf format) appeared in 2006 and was updated and expanded in 2008. It shows how demographic change will drive state taxing and spending by 2030, and the likely effects on economic growth.
http://ethanallen.org/pdf/OffTheRailsFINAL.pdf (2008)
Beyond Restructuring State Government http://www.ethanallen.org/html/general.html#BeyondRestructuringStateGovt
This 15 year old commentary discusses the recurring idea of " restructuring" , asking "how can government programs become more mission-driven, outcome-directed, customer-driven, market oriented and entrepreneurial? " (August 15, 1995)
