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Budgeting

California Proposition 31 (2012)

Nov 7 '12
Author: 
Melissa Croce, Matthew Anderson, and Tyler Van Horn
Proposition 31 was a ballot measure created by California Forward and voted on by the people of California during the General Election held on November 6, 2012. Proposition 31 called for changes to the state budget, and for any legislation to be published three days before it was voted on, among other things. Proposition 31 was defeated by a vote of over 60% to under 40%, but was a good step in the right direction regarding budget reform in California.

The de Borda Institute

Mission and Purpose

To promote inclusive politics.

History

The de Borda Institute was established in 1997, but by that time, we had been advocating the three Borda methodologies since 1986.

Specializations and activities

Voting systems in both decision-making and elections.

Major projects and events

1986 in Belfast: a People's Convention brought together both unionists and republicans, yet still 8 years before the cease-fire.  First use of the MBC and matrix vote.

1990 in Moscow: published an article on consensus in Novy Mir.

Citizen Budget

Oct 11 '12
Author: 
Ellie Marshall

Problems and Purpose

 

Citizen Budget (citizenbudget.com) is an online tool for conducting public budget consultations. This customizable budget simulator lets citizens modify certain municipal services and submit realistic, balanced budget proposals that express their budget priorities.

Participatory Budgeting with SMS (Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic)

Oct 3 '12
Author: 
Hollie Russon Gilman

Problems, Purpose, History 

Originating in Puerto Alegre in 1989, Participatory Budgeting (PB) has been implemented throughout the world.  Jarabacoa is not a place known for its strength of civil society or citizen engagement.  This pilot program of PB using SMS aims to increase civil society and involve citizens for greater government transparency and accountability. PB is part of a broader better governance intitative of the World Bank Initative and United Nations Development Program.  PB has been regarded as a "best practice" for open and more effective governance.

Northumberland Hills Hospital’s Collaborative Budget Strategy (Cobourg, Ontario, Canada)

Jul 18 '12
Author: 
Robert Richards

Problems and Purpose

In the late 2000s Northumberland Hills Hospital experienced repeated budget deficits. The hospital's board needed to cut the hospital's services in order to balance the budget. Ontario's Local Health System Integration Act, 2006, required the hospital to seek public input before changing services.  Accordingly, the hospital's board developed a plan, called a collaborative budget strategy -- formally entitled "Shared Challenge, Shared Solution" -- to elicit this public input.

Viewpoint Learning

Mission and Purpose

Viewpoint Learning describes its purpose as "designing and conducting specialized dialogues on complex and challenging issues for Fortune 500 companies, governments, foundations and other organizations across the United States, Canada and Europe." Viewpoint Learning is a for-profit enterprise.

History

Viewpoint Learning was founded in 1999 by Daniel Yankelovich and Steven A. Rosell. Since 1999 Viewpoint Learning has designed and conducted public and private dialogues in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Local Agenda 21 (Province of Forli-Cesena, Italy)

May 5 '12
Author: 
Alli Welton

Note: this is an English translation of the original Italian case study that was first submitted by Paolo Galassi on 01/07/2012, and which can be found at http://participedia.net/cases/agenda-21-locale-province-forli-cesena-italy.

Problems and Purpose

A Budget With Your Ideas (Reggio Emilia, Italy)

Mar 9 '12
Author: 
Alli Welton
Faced with low levels of citizen interest in community affairs, the Municipality of Reggio Emilio decided to experiment with participatory budgeting in District 8. Exactly 256 citizens took part in the process, which took place between September 2007 and February 2008. 17 of the 123 proposals made in meetings with citizens were included in the 2008 budget. These were related to the community's quality of life. Participants felt satisfied with the process, and there is hope that future initiatives will be even more successful.

Participatory Decentralization in Montevideo

Mar 1 '12
Author: 
Wong Kar Weng

Overview

Participatory decentralization is the process of handing out legitimate political authority to the citizens. It contributes to democratization by bringing the government ‘closer to the people’, imparting the citizens with political knowledge through their participation in local management, and making the government more accountable. [1]

Backbone Campaign

Mission and Purpose

The Backbone Campaign’s goal is to give a voice to community members and the masses, alike, by way of “Artful Activism” (Backbone Campaign).  Through the teaching of non-violent techniques and strategies, the Backbone Campaign looks first to give individuals the tools to have an effective political voice, and second to implement those skills in a manner that generates a dialogue between political leaders and those that they represent.
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