Sarasota News Leader
September 13, 2013
Page 10
Arduin was also the architect of Gov. Rick
Scott's "7-7-7" plan, which he touted throughout his 2010 campaign, and she later served on
Scott's budget advisory team. She co-founded a Tallahassee consulting firm with Arthur
Laffer, identified on the company's website as
"the father of supply-side economics" for his
role in the Reagan Administration.
For its part, Laffer Associates promises to
"provide a supply-side economic overview
on the costs and benefits of New Urbanism/
Smart Growth development," and pledges the
participation of Arduin, Laffer and others. The
contract is worth $85,000, plus another $5,000
set aside for travel and costs. Arduin did not
respond to Sarasota News Leader emails and
phone calls.
After weeks of negotiations, Reid finalized the
scope of work with Laffer Associates — Laffer's Tennessee company — on Sept. 5. It calls
for a "policy assessment" that will examine
how the county should assess and monitor
fiscal neutrality. Laffer Associates will first
report back on its findings to the County Commission in early December, with two additional meetings scheduled for early 2014. A draft
of the company's report is due within 60 days
of the deal.
While Barbetta criticized the original proposed cost of the academic team, he tells the
News Leader he's OK with Laffer Associates'
$90,000 bill. He says Tim Chapin, the FSU professor Reid originally wanted to bring in to
review fiscal neutrality, doesn't have the right
credentials.
"It's got to be an economist who can make
predictions," Barbetta points out. "We're 11
years into this thing and there's not a stick in
the ground." %
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