Easy online budget simulator by Engaged Public in partnership with Colorado Futures Center at Colorado State University helps Coloradans steer state budget and drive ballot decisions
Just as ballots and information booklets are hitting mailboxes, Coloradans now can turn to the new Backseat Budgeter featuring the 2013-14 state budget to understand the tradeoffs associated with spending public dollars.
Developed by Colorado public policy firm Engaged Public in partnership with the research and analysis team at the Colorado Futures Center at Colorado State University, the Backseat Budgeter for the 2013-14 Colorado state is chockfull of information to help voters see the impact of their spending and revenue priorities.
The nonpartisan tool also features details on statewide issues and ballot measures that are currently top-of-mind for residents, including disaster recovery funds used to address the recent flooding that devastated so many communities, and ballot issues Proposition AA (marijuana taxation) and Amendment 66 (education finance reform).
Voters are invited to spend a few minutes, dig in and study up by visiting http://www.backseatbudgeter.com/budgets/Colorado2013/default.aspx.
“If you live in Colorado and care about how public dollars are generated and spent, the Colorado Backseat Budgeter is worth exploring so you can be an educated voter and citizen,” said Brenda Morrison, partner at Engaged Public. “The Backseat Budgeter breaks down the complexities of the state budget and upcoming ballot issues into a user-friendly tool that feels like an online game. It really helps demonstrate the tough choices facing our state.”
Once there, visitors can sign up for an account, test out revenue and spending options, create their own budget, view the budgets of others, comment and discuss.
“It’s easy to get lost in the data and complexities when studying ballot initiatives, the state budget and the cost of public policy initiatives,” said Phyllis Resnick, lead economist at the Colorado Futures Center at Colorado State University. “The Backseat Budgeter helps put these initiatives in the context of the larger challenges facing our state so citizens can get involved and make their opinions known to elected officials.”