How can hi tech improve government?

[Peter Kay]

I for one, would like to see that we get a no-questions-asked and no-barrier access to government data in standard format.

What kind of data? Well, lets start with EVERYTHING. Detailed financial spending down to the credit card. All .gov emails. Phone logs. Documents.

Of course we make arrangements for privacy where there is a security issue or demonstrated requirement for confidentiality, but that's the exception, not the rule.

Meaning: we get access to everything unless specifically prohibited.

And by "access", I'm talking XML-like access. So that we can develop an entire industry of information processing and distribution of government data.

Thoughts? Help me out here people!

[Patrick Ahler]

Agreed - the only underlying question is "would there be any negative consequences to revealing all information?". My thoughts initial thoughts are no... but how the information is displayed to the end user should be controlled and monitored by a non-partisan entity.

[Peter Kay]

My thought is: whatever data is determined to be made available, why not make it available in "raw" consumable formats (i.e. XML) and then let the free market decide on how to process and make it human-readable, or better yet, mashable?

Google mashups are all the rage. I think one of the best examples of mashing govt. data is "Everyblock". Check it out.

[digitaleye]

"how the information is displayed to the end user should be controlled and monitored by a non-partisan entity" sounds like it should have a name something like "The Office of Information Practices"? Were it an independent membership nonprofit only partially subsidized by government, and with the ability to fund raise, write grant proposals, take contributions, and god forbid enforcement authority, then it would have a chance to be nonpartisan as well as effective. It would be nice if all of our state "watchdog" agencies could all be that independent. I have a dream!

FYI I mailed a donation to OIP, but the check remains un-cashed to this day as they have no means to cash it or a process to even accept it. :(

also FYI the check was reimbursement from Hawai'i Public Television Foundation for overcharging me for government records they maintain. I wrote pay to the order of OIP. :)

[Al Beeman]

Speaking from the hinderland (Hilo) I am certain High Tech can improve government by leveraging the Internet even more.

I think the right of full electronic citizen participation should be added to the Constitution ensuring full access to every public meeting at the Capitol and access to all public information at all levels of government no matter what Island we live on. Our government is way way way too Honolulu-centric!

We citizens should be able to watch any hearing and testify via webcam or via phone at any hearing we care to. Thanks to the great work lead by the Senate, we can already submit testimony electronically to the Legislature and we can review all testimony submitted.

But it needs to go farther. I "miss" my legislators when they are off in Honolulu. They should have the option of being here with their family and where I can find them. They should also be able to attend any meeting and vote remotely over the Internet. It is far more important that legislators be near their constituents. Imagine what this would do to the US Congress!!!

And as soon as it is technically feasible we citizens should also have the option of being able to vote over the internet, mobile phone, etc. Not only is this more efficient but if elections were cheaper then when "3rd rail" issues come up that politicians don't want to touch they could call a referendum rather than just run from the issue and let it fester.

If Lativa, Estonia, Lithuania and some cantons of Switzerland can figure out how to hold e-elections and we can consider giving our soldiers email voting then we can figure out how to do it for all of us here in our far flung state.

http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/18925/
http://www.ge.ch/evoting/english/welcome.asp

Distance from the Capitol should not limit participation by Citizen or Senator or Governor for that matter in this High Tech age. Besides all this stuff is very green, imagine all the paper and jet fuel the Internet can say Hawaii.

One more thing. Of all the branches that needs to modernize it is the glacial pace of the Courts and their oceans of paper that need Internet-ization the most. Everything from traffic court citizen time wasting to jury pool insanity all needs attention. And yes, all trials and I mean ALL TRIALS should be accessible by webcam it they allow observers in the courtroom.

[Peter Kay]

Now THERE is a collection of great amendments! You should be able to virtually testify in person (via phone, video, Skype, etc). And e-voting is a must. Do you know that non-profit organizations cannot hold an e-vote for their BOD?