Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States once noted that "information is the currency of democracy."

I couldn’t agree more. And I’d wager that most Californians would agree with this sentiment as well. These same Californians, however, often find themselves on the outside looking in when some crucial decisions—like how to close the current $10 billion budget gap-- are being made. The average voter has very little opportunity to influence the state budget process—one that influences everything from our schools, to our taxes, to our healthcare, to our prisons.

That's why we developed an online budget simulation tool seven years ago, and after nearly a decade of experiencing budget deficits, we continue to update this important public resource. The tool, called the California Budget Challenge, engages Californians in the budget process.

Since its creation, more than quarter million users have taken their own blue pencils to the budget, crafting a state spending plan —and deciding which programs will be cut, which will continue, which will grow, and who will foot the bill.

Our nonpartisan organization, Next 10, is making an updated version of the Challenge available to Californians online starting today. With less than one week to go before the budget deadline, Californians have the power to show lawmakers their budget priorities, creating their own version of a state spending plan and emailing it to elected leaders. The updated Budget Challenge includes policy options that are being debated in Sacramento right now—like whether or not to extend expiring increases in the sales and car taxes, pension reform proposals, and several possible strategies for cutting costs related to prisons. 

As a companion to our online budget simulation tool, Next 10 has facilitated budget briefings using the Challenge with hundreds of schools, business and civic groups, and elected officials. 

Courtesy Next 10

A recent budget briefing.

Although different people obviously come to different conclusions when crafting their budgets, by the end of the exercise there is generally agreement that in order to put the budget to bed, users must compromise. Some years, users find they have to give, negotiate and renegotiate their priorities until it hurts.

This lesson can and must be taken to heart by our leaders in Sacramento. As of the recent May budget revision and including the $11 billion in cuts already made this year, a roughly $10 billion shortfall remains.  All sides need to work together and bridge the partisan divide.

The budget battles over the last 8 years have cost California. If we can work to get the annual budget balanced, California will have some breathing room to focus on the biggest challenges ahead: job creation, education, healthcare, environment, water, prisons, and a myriad of other issues. Our challenges are big in California, so are our opportunities. I believe our state can thrive once again if Californians become empowered to engage with the important issues of today and tomorrow.

Noel Perry is a businessman and founder of Next 10. Next 10 is an independent, nonpartisan organization focused on innovation and the intersection between the economy, the environment, and quality of life issues for all Californians. Next 10 funds research by leading experts on complex state issues.