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 [ BUDGET ADVOCATES ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=369)

#  Want Transparency in City Finances? Vote Now on ‘LawMaker.io Challenge’!

December 04 2017

Written by John DiGregorio.

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BUDGET ADVOCATES-In nearly every public address they give, our City Councilmembers and Mayor mention how far our City has come in providing Angelenos an efficient and transparent government.

The problem is: anyone who takes time to volunteer on a Neighborhood Council or work with our City Departments understands that it’s simply not the case.

 As the second largest City in our nation, “moving towards transparency” should not be a luxury or a distant dream we hear about every year. Full disclosure and understanding of our City’s financial position should be a standard REQUIREMENT.
 **Good news:** **the bar has been set.**

 The recent launch of ***Lawmaker.io****,* an online-based platform that crowd-sources legislation, allowing citizens to propose ideas, can improve our understanding of local Government and restore a lot of the trust many of us have lost.

*Lawmaker.io* has issued its first challenge, right here in Los Angeles, in partnership with Councilmember David Ryu’s office (CD4). The challenge calls for ideas from Angelenos to help formulate the foundation for a new policy or ordinance to address our concerns head on.

In this case, the Budget Advocates are seeking support for a measure that will directly tackle the issue of TRANSPARENCY.

 The formula for the site is simple. Draft a policy and gain support from fellow Angelenos by using “Up Votes” – it’s similar to Change.org or Kickstarter. This challenge on *LawMaker.io* will end on **December 11th, 2017.** The policy that receives the most votes will be used as the framework for a new ordinance, sponsored by Councilmember Ryu.

The Budget Advocates have accepted the challenge and drafted what we believe is the critical first step in getting honest and forthcoming information about our City’s finances.

**But we need your support.**

Hundreds of thousands of us are fully aware of what needs be done, so there are no more excuses.

[Follow this link](https://lawmaker.io/policies/258), read our draft policy and throw your support behind the movement. Remember, no more excuses!

[Watch our video on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN7yB3oOqlw) as the Budget Advocates sit down with founder of Lawmaker.io Amit Thakkar to explore what the platform has to offer.

*(John DiGregorio is the Treasurer of the Panorama City Neighborhood Council. He serves as a Budget Advocate and is Vice President of Communications and Outreach.) Edited for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.*

*-cw*

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