From the Desk of F. Noel Perry:
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Join more than 40,000 Californians - take the 2007 UPDATED Budget Challenge today!
We are excited to release an updated version of the California Budget Challenge, an online, nonpartisan educational tool that gives Californians a voice in the state budget battle. This "serious game" provides an annual examination of the State’s most pressing budget choices. It challenges users to set priorities for the next five years by creating a budget that reflects their values and vision for California’s future.
Since we launched the Challenge two years ago, more than 40,000 Californians have logged-on and built their own state budget. Schools, businesses, governments, and NGOs use the Challenge year-round, and we are dedicated to continuing this ongoing effort.
Today we are launching an updated version of the Budget Challenge, with several exciting new features, including:
- 16 policy options - half of which are new to this version - including such topical choices as whether to levy a carbon tax, cut income taxes, restructure Prop 13, provide universal healthcare, or cut the sales tax.
- A new feature that allows users to email their legislators and the governor about every policy choice they make.
- A new feature that allows users to see what others think of each policy option.
- An explanation of the effects Prop 98 has on each of the policy options.
From its genesis, Next Ten has been collaborating with existing organizations to educate, engage and empower Californians so that, together, we can improve our future economy and quality of life. Your collective commitment sets California apart, and is the foundation of our legacy and a better future for our children.
For Next Ten, the California Budget Challenge has acted as a catalyst to the work we have done on the budget, infrastructure, and now climate change - and will continue to drive and define our work in the years to come. The 3E’s - economy, environment, and social equity - all exist within the structure of the state budget. Our work aims to help create a sustainable California so we will thrive as a society. I have never been more committed to success and to inspiring a call to action in California. I hope each of you will enjoy this updated version of the Challenge and help us promote this innovative tool throughout California.
We have an outstanding team working on the Budget Challenge. Many thanks to Tim Gage, Matt Newman and Ellie Mokyr of Blue Sky Consulting Group; Walter Sanford and everyone at Red Hill Studios; and Anna Meyer and everyone at the Center for Governmental Studies.
When I last wrote to you, AB32 had just been passed and we were looking forward to launching Next Ten's climate change program to reduce California’s carbon footprint. We have started work in this area and I will send an update shortly with details on this effort. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions regarding the California Budget Challenge or this new program area, please email me at noel@nextten.org. I look forward to working together soon.
--F. Noel Perry
Founder, Next Ten
Upcoming Events
We hope to see you soon at one of these upcoming events:
- May 9-10: Great Valley conference in Sacramento
- May 18: League of Women Voters budget conference in Sacramento
Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about one of these events.
Thank You for Your Interest in Next Ten
Please contact us at info@nextten.org for additional information or visit us online at www.nextten.org.
Next Ten is an independent, nonpartisan organization that educates, engages and empowers Californians so that, together, we can improve our future economy and quality of life.
Please note that we changed our url and email addresses and are now at www.nextten.org (without a hyphen). Please update your address books!!