Challenge
Regional Budgeting so Voters can Monitor and Influence Politicians
It has long been recognized that having a press that actively covers politics is essential for democratic governance. Informed voters are better able to hold elected officials accountable for their policy decisions, and most people get their information via the media. Voters living in areas with less coverage of their U.S. House representative are less likely to recall their representative’s name, and less able to describe and rate them. Congressmen who are less covered by the local press work less for their constituencies: they are less likely to stand witness before congressional hearings, to serve on constituency-oriented committees (perhaps), and to vote against the party line. Finally, this congressional behavior affects policy. Federal spending is lower in areas where there is less press coverage of the local members of congress.
Rozpocet obce is a Czech transparency website with a special focus on regional budgets so voters can monitor and influence policy-makers' decisions. The site presents budget information cleanly and attractively, and seeks to raise the general public's awareness of, and literacy in, public expenditure, so they have the information and skills to hold elected officials to account, reduce corruption and increase efficiency.
Press Coverage and Political Accountability- http://economics.mit.edu/files/2984
Registered Voters in the US Statistics: http://economics.mit.edu/files/2984