Next Ten -- "an independent, nonpartisan organization that educates, engages and empowers Californians to improve the state's future economy and quality of life" -- also issued an open letter to all California Assembly and Senate members, asking them to challenge constituents to play the budget game. Constituents will not only have the chance to call the shots on how much to give to schools, health care, prisons and other state programs, but they will also have the ability to share their preferences with legislators.
"Next Ten has created a phenomenal tool that engages Californians in the dialogue that the Executive and Legislative branches are having over the next 45 days," said Leon Panetta, former director of the Federal Office of Management and Budget and director of the Panetta Institute at California State University, Monterey Bay. "Civic engagement is the first step towards making meaningful change, and I commend Next Ten for its important work on this front."
"Next Ten offers the sense of empowerment that is vital to affecting change," said Carol Whiteside, president of the Great Valley Center. "And what's exciting about the California Budget Challenge is that it can be done from any computer with an Internet connection."
