Advertisement
"Right now, Democratic leaders are calling for tax increases to close thebudget gap, while the Republicans are calling for spending cuts. We wantvoters to understand the costs and benefits associated with taking eitherroute or some type of compromise," said F. Noel Perry, the founder of Next 10.
Advertisement
The Budget Challenge permits users to examine the State's most pressingbudget policy choices. It asks users to set priorities for the next fiveyears by building a budget that reflects their values and vision forCalifornia's future. Users who log onto the updated Challenge will find15 policy questions (8 spending questions and 7 revenue questions) they mustanswer in order to build a complete budget. A few of the new policy optionsinclude (but are not limited to):
The interactive features of the online Budget Challenge ensure that usersnot only educate themselves but also engage in the budget process. The gamegives users the option to email state leaders feedback about the policies theybelieve are important to the state's future.
"We would like to see Californians engaged in the budget. They shouldinfluence the process because these policies have a profound impact on oureveryday lives. Decisions being made in Sacramento determine everything fromwho gets healthcare, to who is able to go to college, and how much we pay intaxes," said Perry.
In order to get Californians involved in the budget process through theonline 2008 Budget Challenge, Next 10 is now distributing newly updatededucational budget brochures to libraries, schools, colleges, and nonpartisancivic organizations across the state. Since its launch in 2005, more than50,000 Californians have taken the Challenge at http://www.Next10.org.
About Next 10: Next 10 is an independent, nonpartisan organization thateducates, engages, and empowers Californians to improve the state's future.Recognizing the complexity of issues confronting California today, Next 10 isfocused on improving the state over the next ten years, and the ten yearsafter that. Next 10 was founded by F. Noel Perry, a venture capitalist andphilanthropist concerned about California today and the California ourchildren will inherit. http://www.Next10.org-- A proposal to increase income taxes for upper-middle and upper income earners by $5.1 billion. -- A proposal to cut healthcare spending by tightening eligibility for state-run health services, cutting $1.3 billion from the budget. -- A proposal to release non-violent, non-serious, non-sex offenders without prior serious or violent offenses 20 months early cutting $700 million from the budget by 2012-2013. -- A $200 million dollar spending proposal would fund university-level research of renewable energy technologies. An alternative $500 million dollar proposal would fund energy efficiency measures.
SOURCE Next 10
