Working with Next 10, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced the launch of the “Los Angeles Budget Challenge“. Based on a “SurveyMonkey” - like platform, the survey is both informative and participatory. Granted, in order to close a $212MM gap in 20 minutes demands some simplification of terms and options, but it provides a unique public engagement opportunity.
In his announcement, Mayor Villaraigosa states, “I truly believe that the community must have an active role in this conversation,” but what is not delineated is how public feedback will be considered by the Mayor and City Council in the closing of this deficit. Suffice it to say, the engagement of publics online around budget issues is only becoming more popular, and one of the reasons behind our 2010 Online Public Engagement Grant Program.