Ethan Allen Institute (EAI), founded in 1993, is a public policy research and education organization in Vermont focused on free-market solutions.[2][3] It is named after the 18th-century Vermont military leader Ethan Allen.

Ethan Allen Institute
Founder(s)John McClaughry
Established1993
ChairJack MacMullen
BudgetRevenue: $153,749
Expenses: $146,902
(FYE December 2015)[1]
Address4836 Kirby Mountain Rd.
Concord, VT 05824
Coordinates44°29′59″N 71°54′37″W / 44.4997°N 71.9102°W / 44.4997; -71.9102
Websitewww.ethanallen.org Edit this at Wikidata

Mission

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The organization's stated mission is to "influence public policy in Vermont by helping its people to better understand and put into practice the fundamentals of a free society: individual liberty, private property, competitive free enterprise, limited government, strong local communities, personal responsibility, and expanded opportunity for human endeavor."[4]

History

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EAI was founded in 1993 by John McClaughry. He served as president from 1993 to 2009, and as acting president in 2010. Currently he is EAI's vice president.[5] Educated as a physicist and nuclear engineer, McClaughry served as a senior policy advisor in Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign of 1980, and subsequently in the White House Office of Policy Development until March 1982. He also served in the Vermont House of Representatives and Vermont State Senate. In 1992, he was the Republican candidate for Governor, ultimately losing to incumbent Democrat Howard Dean.[6]

EAI is governed by a ten-member Board of Directors.

In 2022, Meg Hansen became president. She left in early 2023.[7][8]

Myers Mermel became president in 2023. He was removed from the position by the board after serving 10 months.[9]

On September 6, 2023, the State Policy Network suspended its affiliation with the Institute.[10]

Activities

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EAI sponsors policy discussions, round tables and debates; hosts an annual Jefferson Day event each April; and issues a number of publications including a monthly digital newsletter and quarterly print newsletter. Commentaries and policy analyses written by the EAI team are published by most Vermont newspapers and several broadcast outlets.

Current concerns are the state’s demographic and fiscal future, economic and business climate, education, health care, energy, transportation, property rights, and constitutionalism.

In cooperation with the liberal Public Assets Institute, EAI in 2009 created a Vermont transparency web site to bring information and data about Vermont state government to interested citizens.[11]

In 2010, EAI launched an Energy Education Project to help Vermonters understand the economics of energy choices.[12] EAI also sponsors Common Sense Radio, a weekday talk show program that airs on WDEV.[13]

References

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  1. ^ Organizational ProfileNational Center for Charitable Statistics (Urban Institute). Also see: "Quickview data". GuideStar. and "Charity Rating". Charity Navigator.
  2. ^ Hallenbeck, Terri (December 3, 2012). "Roper to head Ethan Allen Institute". Burlington Free Press. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  3. ^ Albright, Charlotte (December 16, 2013). "Education Report Spurs Debate". Vermont Public Radio. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  4. ^ "About Us". Ethan Allen Institute. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  5. ^ "Staff and Directors". Ethan Allen Institute. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  6. ^ Van Susteren, Dick (November 24, 2013). "In This State: A thing or two you might not know about John McClaughry". VTDigger.org. Vermont Journalism Trust. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Ethan Allen Institute names Meg Hansen new president".
  8. ^ "Ethan Allen Institute names Meg Hansen new president | Vermont Business Magazine".
  9. ^ https://www.manchesterjournal.com/community-news/ethan-allen-institute-president-meg-hansen-announces-departure/article_f85100ea-978a-11ed-a9fa-234bb07ff1e2.html?wallit_nosession=1
  10. ^ https://vtdigger.org/2023/10/04/sacked-as-president-of-the-conservative-ethan-allen-institute-meyers-mermel-alleges-retaliation-questions-finances/
  11. ^ Kinzel, Bob (July 7, 2009). "State government 'transparency' website is launched". Vermont Public Radio. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  12. ^ Bradley, Pat (December 24, 2014). "Vermont Yankee To Shut Down Permanently On Monday". WAMC. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  13. ^ "Rob Roper named president of Ethan Allen Institute". VTDigger.com. Vermont Journalism Trust. December 2, 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
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