Resources
In addition to our own analysis and research, we want to spread the word about work that others are doing both in Vermont and outside the state that we think is helpful to the policy discussions here in Vermont.
Reports
Making America Stronger: U.S. Food Stamp Program (Video Report)
On the 30th anniversary of the 1977 Food Stamp Act, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has produced Making America Stronger.
This short film commemorates the 30th anniversary of the of the reforms achieved by the Act by telling the story of how food stamps dramatically reduced the extent of severe hunger in our country, how they continue to help Americans in need, and how this essential program can achieve still more.
Vermont Hit Hard by President's FY-08 Budget (February 2007)
Budget would cut deeply into important public services and adversely affect the state.
Vermont would lose $34 million in federal funds in FY-08 alone for a wide range of public services including K-12 education, clean and safe drinking water, and state and local law enforcement under the President's budget, according to a report released on February 21, 2007 by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Report available at http://www.cbpp.org/2-21-07bud.htm
School Finance in Vermont: Balancing Equal Education and Fair Tax Burdens (January 2007)
Discussion paper courtesy of the New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, by Darcy Rollins Saas.
Download in pdf
New Study Shows Widening Gap between Vermont's Upper Income and Others (January 2006)
Income of the top fifth has risen more than twice as fast as bottom fifth since early 1980s.
The gap between Vermont's highest-income families and poor and middle-income families grew significantly between the early 1980s and the early 2000s, according to a recent study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Economic Policy Institute. The Census-based study, entitled "Pulling Apart: A State-by-State Analysis of Income Trends," is one of the few to examine income inequality at the state as well as national level.
"Pulling Apart" report available at www.epi.org/content.cfm/studies_pulling_apart_2006
Vermont State Auditor Review Scrutinizes Business Tax Credits
Tax credits-over $80 million awarded between 1998 and 2002-contribute to loss of corporate income tax revenue.
The Vermont Economic Advancement Tax Incentives (EATI) program created in 1998 gives businesses tax credits for creating jobs and meeting other statutory criteria. But the Auditor's review found that no one was checking to make sure that jobs were actually being created. Meanwhile, these tax credits reduce state collections from the corporate income tax. During the period reviewed, $9 million had been taken and another $15 million was in carry-forward status.
"Promises to Keep: Recommendations to Strengthen the Performance of Vermont's Economic Advancement Tax Incentives Program" Office of the Vermont State Auditor (February 4, 2003)
Report available at http://auditor.vermont.gov/uploads/1140205256.pdf
Commentary
Thoughts from inside the box
(August 21, 2008 editorial with permission from Bennington Bannner)
Read it here
Who really needs the help?
(February 19, 2008 editorial with permission from Brattleboro Reformer)
Read it here
No place like dead last
(December 19, 2007 editorial with permission from Brattleboro Reformer)
Read it here
Bringing business here
(December 8, 2007 editorial with permission from Brattleboro Reformer)
Read it here
Faux populism
(October 14, 2007 editorial with permission from Rutland Herald)
Download in pdf
Not so simple
(September 27, 2007 editorial with permission from Rutland Herald)
Download in pdf
Poverty has no place in anyone's childhood
(July 27, 2007 editorial with permission from Burlington Free Press)
Read it here
Forbes ranking no basis for economic policy
(July 19, 2007 editorial with permission from Burlington Free Press)
Read it here
Ed funding by Dick Mallary
(March 1, 2007 commentary with permission from VPR)
Read it here
What crisis?
(January 31, 2007 editorial with permission from Rutland Herald)
Download in pdf
Replacing Act 60 wouldn't be so easy
(November 12, 2006 editorial with permission from Rutland Herald)
Download in pdf
Articles
Public Assets Institute criticizes state government budget cuts
(with permission from The Newport Daily Express; August 22, 2008)
Read it here
Searching for Answers
(with permission from The Bennington Banner; August 18, 2008)
Read it here
Big Picture Politics
(with permission from Seven Days; October 31, 2007)
Read it here
Council organizes to attack childhood poverty
(with permission from Burlington Free Press; July 26, 2007)
Read it here
School fund shorted by $25 million
(with permission from Burlington Free Press; January 26, 2007)
Download in pdf
Links
EARN - Economic Analysis and Research Network
Department of Finance and Management