Money, Myths, and Misinformation: Making Government Finance Make Sense

In an era of misinformation, skepticism toward institutions, and “AI-generated everything,” public trust in government has never been more fragile—or more essential. As communities face growing fiscal pressures and the need to pass critical levies, local governments must find new ways to engage residents and explain how public finance truly works.

This session will explore how one city reimagined transparency and engagement through the creation of its Citizens Government Academy—a hands-on, story-driven approach that demystifies public finance and builds long-term community trust. Attendees will learn how to translate complex budget and revenue concepts into plain language, integrate real-world data into engaging presentations, and use both in-person and digital tools to foster understanding amid rising misinformation.