Forward-looking policies in California, according to Next 10, result in technological innovation, increasing consumer demand. That leads to even more technology and further demand. “As consumers learn more about cost-effective new technologies, demand rises for products that save energy and dollars at home, on our highways, and at work,” said F. Noel Perry, businessman and founder of Next 10.
The report finds California's clean technology sector is growing at a faster rate than the rest of the economy. The state's green friendly policies get a lot of credit for creating an environment that encourages innovation.
San Diego gets good marks in the latest assessment of the state’s green economy. The nonpartisan group Next 10 is out with its annual Green Innovation Index, KPBS reports.
The Green Innovation Index shows statewide registrations of alternative fuel vehicles rising 16% from 2011 to 2012, at a time when all California vehicle registrations increased by only 1.5%.
The Concord Coalition and Next 10, both of which are nonpartisan groups advocating for balanced budgets, first teamed up to create the online tool in 2009, and they have updated the program each year with the most recent policy proposals. Overall, the tool highlights some of the difficult choices that have divided Democrats and Republicans in recent years, while also gives users a chance to weigh what programs are most important to them.
The Budget Challenge game has returned by the nonprofit Next 10 to find out how ordinary Californians would spend tax dollars if they were calling the shots.
