State & Local Government Policy, Business and Technology

Cities Turn to Public Input to Shape Open Data Policy

Government Technology: In recent weeks, four cities have begun to actively solicit public input as they draft or hone open data policies — a practice that government transparency advocates hope could one day grow from the niche realm of open data into a routine part of all lawmaking practices.

And while the logistical details of each situation differ, all four — Tempe, Ariz.; Glendale, Ariz.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Durham, N.C. — are using technology to try to foster greater public input in their open data policies. They are doing so with guidance from the Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization that facilitates the use of tech and open data to make government more accountable and transparent. All four are also part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities, a national consortium of municipalities that have publicly committed to enhancing their use of data to improve governmental services, engage residents and inform local decision-making.

Read article