It’s About Trust
California Forward is working to restore the public’s trust in the state’s budget process.
The Latest: Please stand with us. Go to www.cafwd-action.org to help show the politicians in Sacramento that Californians are demanding real change.
California’s budget process today does not strategically invest public dollars to meet critical needs over the long term; it does not encourage policymakers to set priorities and determine how resources can best be used to achieve goals; it is not focused on achieving outcomes or improving results; it does not require that the long-term fiscal impacts of policy decisions are fully recognized when those commitments are made; and, it does not manage the volatility inherent in the state’s tax structure.
Our system for funding essential public services is obsolete, clogged with the unintended consequences of citizen initiatives and confounded by the workarounds intended to fix the glitches.
Californians – more than ever – need their elected officials to solve problems. They want to be sure that their tax money is being used wisely to help them teach their children, grow their businesses, keep and create jobs, and assist with the needs of those who are falling through the growing cracks of this tectonic recession. They want government to do the same gut check they have had to do – decide what is most important and make tough choices.
Beyond that, they want some confidence that elected officials are learning a lesson here – that we must change the way public decisions are made so we won't get into this mess again.
The California Forward 2010 Reform Principles give our state’s budget and fiscal systems the overhaul they desperately need – so we finally get responsible budgets on time. For more information about the California Forward Reform Plan, click here.
California Forward is sponsoring Senate Bill 777 (Wolk) which would implement performance-based budgeting. For more information about SB 777, click here.
Please stand with us. Go to www.cafwd-action.org to help show the politicians in Sacramento that Californians are demanding real change.
It’s About Trust: A State Budget Process that Restores Public Confidence
Fact Sheet on Reforms to Restore Public Trust in the State Budget Process
