Dr. Gerald Prante, assistant professor of economics at Lynchburg College, was recently named to Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s Joint Advisory Board of Economists. On the board, he joins economists from the fields of higher education, banking, and other industries. It’s an annual appointment, but members can be reappointed.
“The board provides oversight on revenue forecasting for the Commonwealth when it does its budgeting,” Dr. Prante explained. “For example, how much revenue — income, sales, etc. — the Commonwealth brings in next year is uncertain. It depends on a variety of factors, including most importantly, the economic condition of the state. This board provides input into these forecasts.”
Before coming to Lynchburg, Dr. Prante did similar work in Washington, D.C. “I worked … on tax policy, where I did work similar to this at the federal level when analyzing tax reform proposals,” he said.
Dr. Prante’s policy work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, The Economist, and other major publications. He’s also appeared on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal program, CNN, CNBC, Fox News, and other TV and radio programs.
He was recommended for the board by Dr. Dan Messerschmidt, interim dean of Lynchburg’s School of Business and Economics. Dr. Messerschmidt served on the board for 16 years, resigning in the fall of 2017.
