We appreciated the generous coverage of our new Brookings Institution report (“Study: Slash taxes, state government; Government should invest in R&D, land preservation,” BDN, Oct. 5) and the thoughtful editorial the same day welcoming the research (“Charting Maine’s Future”). However, we regretted the misleading headline over the news story.

Our report places investments – not tax cuts – at the center of a long-term action plan for securing prosperity in Maine. To the extent we advocate spending efficiencies, it is above all to support the state’s needed investments in quality places, university R&D and the enhancement of the state’s most promising industrial clusters. Throughout all of this, property and income tax reductions remain secondary objectives.

In sum, we do not believe the state can cut its way to prosperity. We believe instead that the state should surgically streamline government where it is possible, apply the savings to investments and support responsible tax reductions with whatever efficiencies remain.

Bruce Katz

Mark Muro

The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program

Washington, D.C.