Many of us have wished for a long time that our community had a website that allows us to test how much we know about the budgets of Memphis and Shelby County, to create a budget that reflects our values, and to use this knowledge to communicate with local government officials.

Finally, we have one. 

It has been created by the Moral Budget Coalition and it is fascinating and informative.

My dear friend and activist Cardell Orrin has been the driving force in creating this website.  Not too long ago, he posted this message on Facebook:

“I’ve been developing this tool to help with community information and  engagement around city and county budgets and property taxes. I was just vibe coding it on the side, so it’s come late for this budget cycle…but interested in folks taking a look and giving feedback as we develop it for use on an ongoing basis.  Let me know what you think and if you have specific feedback, send it along…if you think something could be better or there’s another feature you think would be cool or could be more clear.

It’s a work in progress, so will shift over time.

Take it for a test drive at https://budget-navigator-901.replit.app/

About The Moral Budget Coalition

Among the members of the Moral Budget Coalition are Memphis for All, MICAH, Mid-South Peace & Justice Center, Memphis Education Fund, Memphis Housing Coalition, Memphis Healthcare Advocacy Coalition, and Memphis Transit Riders Union.

The Moral Budget Coalition advocates for a budget that:

  • Prioritizes investments in historically underserved communities
  • Addresses root causes of poverty, inequality, and crime
  • Creates equitable opportunities for all residents
  • Promotes transparency and community input in the budget process
  • Generates sustainable revenue through progressive taxation

We believe that budgets are moral documents that reflect our community’s values and priorities. Through education, advocacy, and organizing, we work to ensure that Memphis and Shelby County budgets serve the needs of all residents, particularly those most impacted by historical disinvestment.

Contact Moral Budget Coalition at: info@memphisbudgetcoalition.org