Sacramento State University’s Hornets Policy and Politics Alumni (HPPA) Chapter hosted its “What’s Possible: Open-Source Governance” event on Dec. 13, where a panel of speakers discussed their experiences with technology and government, and their thoughts on how data can be leveraged to facilitate “new kinds” of civic engagement.
The panel gathered individuals from both the public and private sectors, including: Jennifer Saha, National Director of the Public Sectors Council of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA); Tim Ray, Regional Vice President of AT&T External Affairs Northern California; Yo Yoshida, CEO and Co-Founder of Appallicious Inc.; and Almis Udrys, Director of Performance and Analytics for the city of San Diego. Discussion was moderated by Maya Wallace, Performance Manager of the California Department of Justice.
Although some of the topics brought up at the event spurred healthy debate, there was one concept that both the panel and audience seemed to agree on: State government is significantly slower than cities when it comes to implementing technology. But how do we get the state and cities on the same page?
As government budgets shrink, both the public and private sectors often struggle with influencing agencies to recognize the worth of advanced technology. The panel agreed that while there is no clear solution, the key is showcasing quick return on investment.
Organizational change management and structure can also present obstacles for agencies and industry alike. Government is slow to adopt almost every aspect of technology, a concept Saha said procurement models are partially responsible for. She added it’s sometimes preferable that regulatory changes involving new technology are initiated at a federal level because there’s a “trickle down” effect that can make it easier for state and local government to figure out how to leverage and integrate new systems.
Yoshida spoke to this as well, noting how although these applications and devices are available, siloed agencies make it difficult for staff to collaborate on different projects. The private sector handles this issue by providing agencies with examples of how technology can provide a solution, said Yoshida, thus creating excitement within upper management and encouraging change.
HPPA hosts events throughout the year which promote the use of technology in public service. For more information on future sessions, visit HPPA’s Upcoming Events website.
Techwire was a sponsor of the “What’s Possible: Open-Source Governance” event, along with CompTIA, League of California Cities, AT&T, and Sacramento State University's College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies.
