Editor’s note: This oped is by Barbara Postman, policy coordinator for Montpelier-based Voices for Vermont’s Children.
You may have heard about Challenges for Change – state policy makers’ initiative to provide better services for less money. Who can argue with that goal? But there are some troubling questions.
The proposed reform in the Agency of Human Services is a case in point. The Minnesota consultants who drew up the “Challenges” suggested the agency could save $23 million. But that would be just the state money, most of which is matched with federal dollars. By cutting $23 million, Vermont would lose another $26 million in federal funds. Challenges for Change is really asking the Legislature and the administration to figure out how to save almost $50 million—and they’re expected to do in about six or eight weeks.
How is it going to be possible to find efficiencies in a few short months that will not result in a reduction in services? Efficiencies in an administration that – for almost 8 years – has been talking about making government more efficient and has been reducing the number of people in the state work force.
The legislature has already passed legislation authorizing unspecified spending reductions that are up to the administration. If the suggested re-design of state government does not deliver the projected savings, those unspecified cuts will have to result in a significant reduction in services. And the scope of these cuts – at a time like this – is going to have its own cost and will most likely be more expensive in the long run.
How is it going to be possible to spend so much less when Vermonters are struggling with the deepest recession in many years and need state services more than ever? Services like aid to families with children, child care subsidies, mental health services, rental assistance, and low interest loans to start businesses. We all benefit from these services, especially at times like this, and this is the time when the state should be doing all it can to help those who have nowhere else to turn.
This $49 million cut would come after 18 months of balancing budgets in the face of increased demand and multiple layoffs of state workers. And, this is after legislators in the House – presented with a budget from the governor that contained $50 million in cuts to Human Services – tried everything they could to do the least harm and hold down spending.
We have a long history of commitment to a state that works for all Vermonters. Over the years, we have worked together to create public structures and systems that make the state a great place to live. We support our families, protect our land, underpin our economy, and uphold our values. What we have built is the foundation of our quality of life and the vitality of the beautiful place we call Vermont. What we need to be doing now is responding to those of us in need.
The broad outline of the proposed changes contained in the Challenges for Change presentation made to the legislature on March 30th includes some good ideas. But it is far from clear how those changes can save the projected amount of money in time for Fiscal Year 2011, which begins this July 1st.
The legislature has already passed legislation authorizing unspecified spending reductions that are up to the administration. If the suggested re-design of state government does not deliver the projected savings, those unspecified cuts will have to result in a significant reduction in services. And the scope of these cuts – at a time like this – is going to have its own cost and will most likely be more expensive in the long run.
It is time to step back and ask where we are going. It is time to admit that a major reorganization of the Agency of Human Services takes time and resources. It is time for our leaders to find alternative ways to fund the budget shortfall this year and next and to have a plan for the future that will put us on a sustainable path.
