When Citizens Deliver Services to Themselves

Citizen engagement has traditionally been viewed as citizens participating in community activities such as testifying on policy proposals, budgets and strategic plans. But government does more than policy and budgets. And citizens want to do more than testify or volunteer at the local food bank.

How can state and local governments engage their citizens in ways that are more meaningful–and fun–to both the citizens and their communities? A series of pioneering initiatives holds promise that this now can be done on a much wider scale.

Posted By John M. Kamensky

Full Story: http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-citizens-co-delivery-government-services.html

***

New York Launches Open Data Portal

"This new website will dramatically increase public access to one of our most valuable assets – data. As it expands and evolves over time, http://www.Open.ny.gov will spark innovation, improve efficiency, promote accountability, and bring the people back into government." New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo

http://www.matr.net/article-54628.html