Colorado Center on Law and Policy - Justice and Economic Security for ALL Coloradans

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Welcome to a preview of our new website. Here you can find recent publications, legislative summaries, news and events. For information prior to Fall of 2006, use the link below for our 2006 website. Look for the finalized site in February 2007.

State Fiscal Analysis Initiative (SFAI)

The State Fiscal Analysis Initiative is a network of 29 state-based research and public education organizations. It seeks to broaden public participation in decision-making about public policies and to strengthen the contributions of state-level nonprofit organizations in policy debates by enhancing their ability to provide reliable budget and tax analysis. SFAI was developed in part to respond to continuing reductions of government services for low-income and vulnerable populations, which began at the state level in the late 1980s as the economy lagged and states were no longer able to compensate for earlier cuts in federal programs. Its activities have intensified in recent years as welfare reform and other policy changes have increased states' responsibilities for social programs while reducing federal funding responsibilities.

The State Fiscal Analysis Initiative brings together groups with diverse backgrounds and missions which share a commitment to rigorous policy analysis, responsible budget and tax policies, a particular focus on the needs of low- and moderate-income families. The organizations broaden the debate on budget and tax policy through public education and the encouragement of civic engagement on these issues.

Since launching in 1993 in 11 states, SFAI has grown steadily. The 29 states in SFAI include 70 percent of the nation’s population. Additional state-level organizations are expected to join the network in the coming years.

Financial support for SFAI organizations comes principally from local and regional foundations, from individual donors, and from several national foundations including the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Open Society Institute, the Stoneman Family Foundation, the Public Welfare Foundation, and the John L. and James S. Knight Foundation.

The SFAI network is coordinated by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington-based research organization and strategic policy institute that works on a range of federal and state issues.