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Austin American-Satesman’s “Budget Game” (Registration Required)

Posted on June 16, 2008  |  Ideas We Like

Tags: Games Calculators

http://www.statesman.com/insight/content/norails/budget_game

The 78th Texas Legislature is looking at a $9.9 billion gap between the state’s expected revenue and what Texas must spend to maintain existing programs. Readers get a chance to play lawmaker and fill that gap through a mix of spending cuts and new taxes. The budget exercise builds in a political cost for each choice. Being in favor of a tax on food, for instance, would increase a public relations liability that could affect a politicians reelection. The trick is to fill the gap but keep your job.