The response to COVID-19 has had some positive outcomes for free-market policies, and the Ethan Allen Institute is preparing to make sure when the crisis is over we don’t throw the good out with the bad.

For example, the Vermont Legislature backed off excessive regulations in the health and insurance sectors that drive up costs and retain access in this time of pandemic. The emergency measures end in six months, but they should be retained.

From the perspective of government transparency, the new policy of live streaming and archiving video of committee discussions and “floor” debate should also be retained. Conversely, the crisis has stalled some truly bad ideas such as the Transportation Climate Initiative and the Vermont Global Warming Solutions Act—to name two of the most offensive.

Not popular outside the state house to begin with, appetites for higher taxes and draconian restrictions on economic activity will be unthinkable, though it is clear advocates of these policies are reluctant at this point to let them go. The Ethan Allen Institute is using these odd times to strengthen its network and build and polish its databases.