Pew’s Stateline: ‘We stand behind our reporting’

To the editor:

 The story, “Tax credit plan would be a giant leap for NH” (May 12-25 NH Business Review) cites a series of articles published last month by Stateline, a project of The Pew Charitable Trusts that provides daily reporting and analysis on trends in state policy. The story quotes criticism of Stateline’s series by a principal of Advantage Capital Partners, which has been the leading participant in tax credit plans in multiple states. 

We stand behind our reporting. We quoted multiple sources in our stories — and spoke to many more — and were careful to confirm that they did not have conflicts of interest.

In the last 15 years, reports conducted by state auditors or paid for by states found that the tax credit programs in Alabama, Missouri, and the District of Columbia would not create as many jobs or as much state revenue as promised and recommended that the programs be shut down. In Colorado, an audit also recommended that the program be halted. In New York, a state report found that the program had created fewer jobs than promised, and officials argued against an extension.

In addition, reporters at the Palm Beach Post in Florida, the Portland Press Herald in Maine and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in Wisconsin have revealed problems with programs in their states, including questionable deals and sizable profits made by investment firms.

Stateline is committed to the highest standards of non-partisanship, objectivity, and integrity in our reporting. The series referenced in the article, and all of our work, is intended to inform the public and help government officials make sound decisions in the public interest. 

Scott S. Greenberger

Executive Editor

Stateline

Washington, D.C.