Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) are a new and innovative method of funding public programs. In these programs, an investor provides funding for a public program and is repaid by an outcome funder, usually a government entity, upon the successful completion of the program. This funding structure reduces the risk of…
This report seeks to provide a greater assessment of needs across the communities that make up the Upper Valley. New Hampshire and Vermont have a large disparity in socioeconomic success between communities across the region. In the Upper Valley, recognizing the variety of needs can better inform governments, stakeholders, and…
In the past few years, the growth of the daily fantasy sports (DFS) gambling industry has been remarkable. A derivative of season-long fantasy sports, participants in daily fantasy sports can win monetary prizes depending on the success of the roster (collection of players) they select. In the past year, a…
Not only are many current foster parents unsatisfied with the supports offered to them, but inadequate supports may also deter people from becoming foster parents in the first place.[i] To aid Vermont foster parents and the policymakers and organizations that support them, this project explores innovative and potentially-underutilized approaches to…
In 2013, Governor Peter Shumlin of Vermont — along with the governors of California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island — signed a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Per the agreement, the coalition of states committed to undertaking necessary actions to ensure that at…
This report will examine the feasibility of conducting a comprehensive assessment of the state of arts education in Vermont. Because data on arts programming are decentralized, we analyzed a representative sample of school districts, selected based on location and population factors. For this sample, we have collected available data on…
This report examines the various policy options that are available to New Hampshire policymakers relating to the regulation of autonomous vehicles, or self-driving cars. In this report, we explore autonomous vehicles legislation across the United States, breaking bills down into specific categories of regulatory interest. We analyze the variation in…
During the summer of 2016, a nationwide household survey of 1,309 Kosovars was conducted for the Kosovo Women’s Network and the Kosovo Ministry of Health on the state of the healthcare system and on the abilities of Kosovar citizens to access the healthcare system. This report analyzes the survey data…
This report addresses the problem of New Hampshire’s aging population. Major demographic changes in recent years will dramatically shift the population breakdown of the Granite State, particularly as the Baby Boomers approach retirement. In this report, we examine these trends and propose solutions for New Hampshire policymakers to combat proactively…
Developing the full potential of wind resources in New Hampshire holds great promise for helping to meet the state's energy needs. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that about 179,000 acres in New Hampshire may be suitable for wind energy development. While much of this land is on federal and state lands…