|
|
|
|
Legislators are engaging citizens online Sen. Moore invites e-Comments March 30, 2009 ... State legislators across America are turning to the technology of the day to engage citizens in addressing the problems of democracy. Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, is among the leaders in this effort. As the economic crisis worsened, Sen. Moore turned to his constituents for advice as well as to answer their questions through using a new web site, www.workingtogetherformass.com. Working Together for Massachusetts has become a resource for citizens to better understand state government’s response to the national economic recession. It is also a means for offering suggestions and asking questions about state programs and priorities. The web site is paid for privately by Sen. Moore, and not at taxpayer expense. Moore is also featured in an article in the April 2009 edition of State Legislatures Magazine entitled “Engaging Citizens Online.” The story mentions Sen. Moore’s efforts in 2003 to help citizens understand the impact of budget cuts during the regional economic recession that hit Massachusetts at that time. Moore’s budget simulation game, called MA$$ Balance, gave citizens an opportunity to try their hand a balancing the state budget by cutting programs, raising revenues, or both. The game, which was developed with the help of the Electronic Games Club of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, had over 1.5 million hits and received national awards. The state of Maine has had a tool like the MA$$ Balance game since 1999. Governor John Baldacci’s interactive budget balancing tool has helped citizens of that state get a better understanding of state finances. The Minnesota Senate has also recently created a new web site, similar to that developed by Sen. Moore, which seeks citizen input to solve that state’s projected $4.8 billion budget deficit. Visitors to the site can comment and provide their ideas for key areas of the budget. The site also has links to a wealth of background information, and Minnesota citizens are actively using the new tool. Nevadans are also voicing their opinions on how to erase the revenue shortfall in their state through a new web-based suggestions box for legislators. As of early February, more than 1200 suggestions had been submitted. California, Washington State, and Virginia have also sought citizen input via the web. Nationally, President Barack Obama’s “Citizen’s Briefing Book” also invites ideas on issues facing the new Administration, and allows citizens to rate suggestions submitted by other’s. More than 70,000 people participated in the first edition of the Briefing Book this past weekend, submitting tens of thousands of ideas. |
