The Way to Supplant Government Cutbacks

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Robert A. Hunter
February 21, 2025

The popular idea these days, right or wrong, seems to be that “big government” needs to be slashed.

Cutbacks are Imminent

As today’s federal, state and local politicians look for ways to downsize government, it is critical to simultaneously search for ways to supplant important programs and services that may be cut.

First, however, if government is to maintain continuity, stability and trust, leaders should follow a reliable assessment and evaluation process as cutbacks are considered. For without that process, confusion, chaos, legal blockades, backtracks, pushbacks and diminished public trust will ensue. Order must be the practice of the day.

Professional studies will reveal where redundancy, unnecessary programs and unproductive practices exist, if there are any.

Additionally, a fresh administration may sort through current services to determine if they align with newly established objectives and goals. Incoming leaders may also determine that there’s simply not enough revenue to cover all wants and needs.

While a healthy review of the status quo is a practice which should always be encouraged, it is advisable to be aware of ramifications in all quarters. A rush to judgement never makes sense.

Years ago, as a young, newly elected county commissioner, I was approached by political zealots with enticing propositions about how wholesale cuts would save millions of dollars for taxpayers. I was at least curious. So I visited a trusted university president and mentor who had previously accrued vast experience as a corporate CEO. His advice was that when revolutionary ideas are on the table the most common sensical way to test them is not to make immediate big changes, but to (1) research previously tested ideas of similar nature, (2) speak with experts in the subject matter and (3) experiment with the ideas a measure at a time.

Over the years, I’ve found his advice to be productive in my professional, educational and political career. It’s the advice I pass on to my students, interns and colleagues.

Additional advice would be helpful as we contemplate imminent cutbacks and dramatic changes to come in federal circles. The domino effect will unquestionably impact state and local governments as well.

So, how can we mitigate the pain and loss of services that are sure to follow?

Nonprofit Organizations Can Help

One suggestion that would help fill the gap is to rely more heavily on the nonprofit community.

Charitable and nonprofit organizations in America constitute six percent of the economy. Many of them exist to supplement government services and simply fill in where no services exist.

Can They Be Trusted?

One way to determine the trustworthiness of a nonprofit is to check the wages of their CEOs and their overhead costs as opposed to the amount of funds applied to the direct service of the organization.

Reliable sources such as Charity Navigator, Charity Watch and the National Center for Charitable Statistics may be used to make determinations about the quality of a given nonprofit’s work.

Advantages of relying on nonprofits to supplant government cutbacks include the facts that (1) they employ people whose paramount concern is not the salary, but the opportunity they have to help lift the lives of their fellow citizens, (2) they recruit massive numbers of volunteers whose services require no paycheck and who become involved in causes close to their hearts, (3) their volunteers infectiously spread a spirit of “neighbor helping neighbor” in their communities and (4) they have a record of collaborating with one another as well as government agencies focused on similar objectives.

Just one example is an organization in my hometown of Ogden, Utah, called PAAG (Problems Anonymous Action Group), organized more than 50 years ago to keep qualified mentally ill people out of the state hospital and offer them socialization in their own community. PAAG houses and supports these people at a cost of $215 per individual per day versus the cost of $1300 per day at the state hospital.

Another example is United Way’s 211 information and referral network. This is a 24/7 service to connect with help in housing, food and meals, mental health, medical needs, utility assistance, tax assistance, addiction recovery, legal assistance and transportation. It is also a number to call to learn of opportunities to volunteer.

A Proposal for Consideration

As governing bodies execute cutbacks, the way to mitigate service reductions is to consider (1) offering enhanced tax incentives for individuals and corporations to encourage their support of nonprofits, (2) funding nonprofit services which can fill in government service gaps at a much lower cost than using government personnel and (3) establishing ad hoc committees at the federal, state and local levels (including representative leaders from the nonprofit sector) to explore possibilities.

Such actions will lessen the impact of reduced services on the lives of constituents and will build respect for the leaders who serve them.

---

Author: Robert A. Hunter is a longtime leader in Utah’s government, political, and nonprofit circles. He currently serves as Public Policy Advisor to United Way of Northern Utah and  teaches Leadership and Political Life at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. He may be reached at [email protected]. 

(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...