FAQ

What would happen if people don’t fund a program and it goes defunct?

Tax Choice would be phased in gradually to avoid such fallout. In addition the “protected classes” coupled with the towns management of the non-discretionary portion would curtail such scenarios.

How would this program be implemented?

The program would exist through an online portal in which each household has an account. The portal would be linked to the home's assessment so the dollar amount for the taxpayer's liability would be shown when allocating taxes.

What if I want to be involved but don't want to allocate on the detailed (between departments or programs) level?

The natural tiering of the system would allow you to allocate on whichever level you feel comfortable on. If allocation on a broader scale suits you best, you could allocate only between municipal and education budgets.

How does tax choice differ from participatory budgeting?

Participatory budgeting and tax choice, both democratic approaches for allocating funds, share intentions but differ in their process and efficacy. In participatory budgeting, residents pool their taxes, then vote on allocation, while tax choice involves residents pre-allocating taxes before pooling. Tax choice offers greater efficiency, ensuring satisfactory allocation to taxpayers by streamlining the process and minimizing conflicts. It empowers individuals, respects their preferences, and caters to diverse community needs, making it a superior method for resource allocation.

How would the program prevent wild swings in spending if public opinion changes year to year? 

The checks previously mentioned will have a moderating effect, namely the towns ability to balance out discretionary spending with non-discretionary the budget. Ultimately there will be a change that reflects the public's will; this increase in democratic representation is a goal of the policy.