Cambridge Gives Residents A Direct Say In Budgeting For The Next Fiscal Year

The city of Cambridge is upending some of the top-down decision making as it puts together its budget for the next fiscal year. It's inviting residents to vote directly on a range of projects worth $600,000.

The process is called participatory budgeting — it was first developed in Brazil about 25 years ago.

Cambridge residents, ages 12 and older, could vote online or at town events from Saturday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 12.

Budget director Jeana Franconi joined WBUR's Weekend Edition's Sharon Brody to talk about the effort.