Let's get straight down to business. The business of government, that is.
This week Chris Neklason, an admitted government-nerd, delivers parts two and three of a series on how government raises and spends money. It's a project that has fascinated Chris for years—back in 2022, he framed the topic thusly: "The genius of democracy is that when citizens are taxed to fund public services, the citizenry is responsible for providing oversight in the administration of those funds. Participating in that oversight process is certainly in our enlightened self interest."
Belive it or not, the bolgpost containing that statement includes a scene from the fantasy novel Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, hero to tax-hating Libertarians (no disrespect intended).
Here, Chris makes it easier to participate in your governments budgeting process.
Find Out Where Your Money Goes
Democracy really does live in California—do not believe the haters, and read all about it in Jon Vankin's book (see banner ad at the top of this page). To prove it, the State Controllers office makes a handy tool available that allows you to see exactly how your county, town or city raises and spends your tax money. And: Here find a quickish primer on county government funding that will help you make sense of billions of public dollars.
Get to Know a Group
Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The chapter serves Sacramento and Yolo counties, as well as southern Placer County.
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• California Forever Pulls Initiative
Following a report released the previous week by Solano County citing billions of dollars in costs and a host of other issues, California Forever pulled their initiative from the November ballot.
(07/23/2024) → The Mercury News
