New York City is experiencing a new kind of democracy. Through Participatory Budgeting, residents of four Council Districts are directly deciding how to spend around $6 million of public money. From October 2011 to March 2012, community members are exchanging ideas, working together to turn ideas into project proposals, and voting to decide what proposals get funded.
Any resident of the participating council districts 18 years of age or older can vote. More details available here.
By Brian Lehrer, WNYC, Fri, 2011-10-21
Brad Lander, Brooklyn City Councilman (D-39), and Melissa Mark-Viverito, city council member representing East Harlem and parts of the Bronx and Upper West Side discuss their new plan to involve constituents in budget allocation.