:
Local Government
Interactive exercises help put complex local government issues into an easy-to-understand context. Here are a few examples that do just that.

• Send us your interactive news efforts

"Plan Your Future Park"

New York City, NY--The Gotham Gazette's newest interactive game, "Plan Your Future Park" lets you plan a city park, making choices that communities always have to face.

Do you want dogs? Skateboarding? How will you prevent crime? In addition to selecting from "multiple choice" solutions, a message board allows users to communicate specific opinions and concerns. See article.

Confronted with reporting on an unruly City Council, the Capital-Journal asked, "What if the Topeka City Council members were on the TV show 'Survivor'...?" Those interested could go online and call Council members to account for their behavior by "voting" them off.
>Watch the promo for the game — in true Survivor style. (A QuickTime Movie)

The NYC Budget Game

The Gotham Gazette is behind this interactive game that lets visitors balance New York's $44.5 billion budget. Starting with the city's current $3.8 million deficit, users add percentage points to specific taxes and remove money from specific expenditures until the deficit becomes a surplus. Pop-up windows let users know when new taxes are going to get you in trouble with voters, state leaders or even the federal government. After playing, users can compare their budget to the mayor's with a handy pie chart, submit their proposed budget to The Gazette and talk about the game on the site's message boards.