CALIFORNIA – Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled plans for Engaged California, a new online platform designed to encourage public participation in government decision-making. The initiative, set to launch soon, aims to modernize town hall discussions and increase transparency in policy development.
“This platform is about making government more accountable and ensuring that your voices translate into real action,” Newsom said in a YouTube video announcing the program. The comments section on the video was disabled.
Inspired by Taiwan’s Digital Democracy Model
Engaged California takes inspiration from Taiwan’s vTaiwan platform, which has been credited with strengthening public trust in government. Since its introduction in 2015, vTaiwan has played a role in boosting approval ratings from just 9% in 2014 to over 70% by 2020.
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Newsom’s administration hopes that Engaged California will foster collaboration among residents, enabling them to contribute ideas and provide feedback on key state issues.
Initial Focus on Wildfire Recovery
The program’s first priority will be addressing the aftermath of the Los Angeles firestorms, which scorched more than 37,000 acres, displaced over 200,000 residents, and resulted in 29 deaths.
Many locals have voiced frustration over emergency response efforts, citing problems such as dry fire hydrants and limited water supplies. Additionally, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently removed Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, citing concerns over the department’s ability to handle large-scale disasters.
Engaged California will allow affected residents to share their experiences and suggestions to improve future disaster preparedness and emergency response efforts .
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