This post is about Orbis in general, but since we're both TKR members, I'm curious if you think this applies to TKR as well, or just Orbis as a whole? As someone who has been playing catchup for the last year, I've felt that TKR's programs are pretty good. What city count do you think alliances should boost new members to? I should be able to hit C25 before too long, and I think that's a respectable city count, and will be due in large part to alliance help.
I think Econ programs are good, and I'm not necessarily opposed to taxes to fund them. On the other hand I'm not sure if I see the problem being as big as you do. I've seen some people climb very high quite quickly. I don't think having players spread across a reasonable range of city counts is necessarily a bad thing, although I suppose that's not exactly what your arguing.
I'm definitely open to changing my mind on this, if you can help me understand that it's more of an issue than I realize. I think what would help me understand best is a more specific idea of what kind of funding and cities you do see funded for new members around Orbis now, vs what city count you think alliances should fund to.
TL;DR: Afaik most big alliances do have good programs for new players, curious about what specifically you'd like to see.