Hoffer- Salmon debate follow-up

 

From: drhoffer@comcast.net
Date: October 8, 2010 6:40:01 AM EDT
Subject: debate follow-up

During the debate last night, I was asked if any of the many reports I've authored have led to concrete action.  It's was a fair question.  I want reiterate and expand on my answer.

 

Job Gap Study – Livable Wage: Changed the discourse about wages in Vermont.  The livable wage became the standard used in labor negotiations and was adopted by responsible employers.  Thanks to the work of the Peace & Justice Center, the Worker's Center, and many committed legislators, it led to numerous increases in the minimum wage (now indexed to inflation!) AND an increase in the state's Earned Income Tax Credit, which we advocated.  These two changes have helped thousands of low wage workers and their families.

 

Job Gap Study – The Leaky Bucket: Provided a policy framework and intellectual foundation for efforts to advance local self-reliance through targeted import substitution.  The report quantified the economic benefits of increased local production of food and energy.  These movements have really taken hold and have become mainstream.

 

Leaky Bucket fallout 1: A report for the State Treasurer on economically targeted investments for public pension funds (ETIs) led to a new policy by the pension fund's investment committee to look for opportunities to invest more money in the local and regional economy.  ETI's were first discussed in the Leaky Bucket.

 

Accountability 1: Persuaded the legislature to end a corporate welfare program entitled the Financial Services Tax Credit program.  The state failed to produce a performance report on the program (which was required for re-authorization) until I provided an analysis that exposed the failure of the program.  The state's report was incomplete and riddled with errors.  My work provided the support needed to justify killing the program, which wasted millions.

 

Accountability 2: Phase 9 of the Job Gap Study led to the adoption of the "Unified Economic Development Budget," which is a tool for policy makers and asks three questions: How much money have we spent for economic development? For what? And with what results?  The administration had never provided this information, the need for which became even more clear with the Challenges for Change process.

I am proud of the work I've done and will gladly stack it up against Mr. Salmon's exaggerated view of his own accomplishments.

 

Most of these reports can be seen on my website.

http://hofferforauditor.com/publications/

Doug Hoffer