Sweet Orange

Do you think that you know how to solve the California budget crisis? Do you think that you know what programs to cut or taxes to raise? If so (or even if not), you can put your assumptions to the test by taking the California Budget Challenge from the nonpartisan NextTen group.

Since its debut in 2005, more than 175,000 people have used the “California Budget Challenge,” the online simulation that lets users try their hand at managing the Golden State’s finances by creating a budget reflecting their values.

The new June 2010 California Budget Challenge includes the most up-to-date figures from Governor Schwarzenegger’s May Revise. You’ll be confronted with many of the current proposals under consideration by the legislature. In addition to choices about education spending and income tax, you now have the opportunity to weigh in on topical proposals such as further cuts to human service programs, imposing an oil severance or marijuana tax, or increasing the current cigarette tax.