Gov. Jon Corzine has asked New Jersey residents to send him suggestions for the state's 2010 budget through the state Web site or the popular social-networking site, Facebook.
Corzine invited residents to post ideas and questions about his proposed $29.8 billion budget to get a feel for what people think is important and points on which they disagree.
"I would say anybody and everybody under 28 is on Facebook, so it's a great way to reach out," Brian Quinn, a senior at Princeton University, says. "I don't think it's a bad thing at all."
Quinn and other Princeton students think many people may use Facebook to find out more about the budget proposal, even if they don't come up with their own ideas.
Several people did post suggestions, questions and comments. Christian Beltran suggests, "Seize and freeze all inmate accounts for one year and use that money toward restoring property tax rebates or deductions, or increasing K-12, college, seniors, disabled, or municipal aid."
Another resident suggests making teacher salaries merit-based in order to spend money on improving education. One resident who questions the governor's willingness to make radical changes asks, "What is your reluctance to cutting funding to every state department by 15%?"
The governor hopes to obtain "constructive and realistic" feedback from the public that will help him craft the new budget.