California is looking flush with cash.

With $25 billion in federal stimulus en route and an estimated California budget surplus of $76 billion, per Gov. Gavin Newsom (the Legislative Analyst’s Office puts it around $38 billion), lawmakers are making bold plans to spend that cash down.

But suppose it were up to you: How would you spend California’s budget surplus?

Here’s a tool for theoretically doing just that. Rejigger the state’s tax and spending priorities to your liking. We’ve provided just a sampling of all the possibilities out there — let us know if there’s something we really should have included but didn’t.

Just remember: The state can’t run a deficit, so balance that budget before submitting your priorities and, when you do, you can compare your results with others!

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$101 billion

surplus

Jump to specific budget priority

Money Coming In

Money Going Out

You cannot submit your budget priorities while you have a deficit! This may surprise you, but California’s budget must be balanced each year! So either cut spending or increase revenue to continue.

See how you compare to others

Share what your California budget looks like.

Thanks for submitting your budget priorities! Now take a look below at how your choices compared to other’s who also submitted their priorities.

Taxes & Fees

Spending

Change budget priorities

Things you should know

Picking priorities

To change a budget priority, click on the option you like and a check mark will appear next to the chosen option. The surplus indicator at the top will also change.

Submitting your priorities

When you are ready to submit your priorities, click or tap the button at the bottom. You’ll then be able to see how your priorities compare with other’s. You’ll also be able to go back and change your priorities around, then resubmit!

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CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.