Crowdsourcing a tough problem: Washington State’s Budget
In order to tap into the wisdom of crowds, you need to make their participation easy and maybe even fun.
The Washington State Legislature is struggling with a $8 to $9 billion shortfall in the state budget. Drastic cuts are being considered. Some have floated ideas for closing tax loopholes, increasing tax rates, or new taxes. How do you present a complex idea to the voters for their feedback? The governor and the legislature have offered online spreadsheets.
Below is a game that I helped design for Fuse Washington that allows you to balance the state budget. Unlike the spreadsheet, it offers an intuitive way to look at different categories for revenue and expenses.
To play the game, go to www.YouBudget.org
