This opinion is from Doug Hoffer, a policy analyst who lives in Burlington.
I just spent a few minutes on Vermont Public Radio with Tom Evslin and Sen. Snelling. The subject was Challenges for Change; in my case, specifically economic development.
I challenged the Agency’s proposal and Mr. Evslin said that the goal was to protect outcomes, not organizations. I questioned whether anyone knew what the outcomes had been. My portion of the show was cut short so I didn’t get to tell Mr. Evslin or the VPR listeners these two rather startling facts:
1. Since July 2002, the State has spent at least $311 million for economic development (including federal funds). [I would put the figure much higher, perhaps $500 million.]
2. Today we have 9,000 fewer private sector jobs than we did in July 2002.
Does that mean all the money was wasted? Certainly not. But it tells us that the State’s strategy cannot overcome the business cycle. And we know that much of those expenditures were not long-term investments so – for the most part – we’re no better prepared for the next recession than we were for this one. So I’m a little curious about exactly what outcomes Mr. Evslin and the Governor think they’re protecting.
