Did you know that you can help control your local property tax increases?  You can take responsibility for helping to reduce government waste and inefficiencies in your community with the tools available from the Citizens' Campaign's Platform for the People.

What is the Platform for the People?

The Platform for the People is empowering citizens with model cost-savings laws that they can bring before their municipal, school board and county officials to get adopted. Citizens can also submit their own cost saving proposals, and get assistance in their development. There are also government accountability model ordinances for citizens to present for adoption.  Citizens have passed our strongest Anti-Pay to Play laws in over 80 municipalities across the state.

The Citizens' Campaigns Law & Policy Task Force has identified and drafted cost-savings proposals for immediate local implementation by Citizens. In the past, the Legal Task Force has contributed their governmental & political expertise to write top government reforms laws such as the Anti-Pay-to-Play Law, the Party Democracy Act and the Citizen Service Act. We are honored that they have recommitted themselves, volunteering their expertise to now tackle policy issues to reduce government waste at the local level where property taxes are out of control.

The Law & Policy Task Force has more than 30 experts with experience in municipal government, law, and finance. We are honored that Gary Stein, former Chief of Policy for Gov. Kean, has agreed to serve as the Task Force Chair.  Other members include former   municipal elected officials, local government finance experts, public administration professors from Rutgers University, and municipal attorneys.

Menu of 20 Local Government Cost Cutting Measures

Click here to view a sampling of the local government cost savings model ordinances which citizens have initiated and the Task Force has developed into models, ready for introduction. There is also a list of the government accountability reforms ready for introduction.

How to Participate

Request a Model Law to Present for Adoption
To request one of these model laws, please email Heather (heather@jointhecampaign.com) You will need to have completed our online 1/2 hour Citizen Legislator Class, and filled out our online application to receive the model law of your choice, the guidance of an experienced coach and the media and other support of the Citizens' Campaign.

Submit a Cost Savings Idea in the Local Government Cost-Savings Forum
Do you have your own idea for reducing municipal waste or inefficiency?  If so, share your idea with the Citizens' Campaign. If its no-blame, and adoptable at the local level, then post it in our local government cost savings forum. The local government cost-savings forum is a Google Moderator Forum, so login with your gmail account. The Task Force on Law and Policy periodically selects proposals which are unique, effective and applicable to multiple municipalities for development into a model law.