a16z Podcast a16z Podcast: Government Transparency Powered by Software
Jul 10, 2014
Zac Bookman, CEO of OpenGov, transforms how government budgets are visualized, while Mike Kasperzak, a former mayor, shares invaluable insights on integrating tech in local governance. They discuss the tension between technology and government, highlighting how software can enhance public transparency. The duo emphasizes the need for centralized tech leadership and community engagement, as well as the challenges of bringing less tech-savvy citizens into the fold. Ultimately, they explore how these innovations could redefine our connection with civic services.
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Legacy Software Hinders Government Visibility
- Many US state and local governments run on software that's decades old, creating an opportunity for modern cloud-based tools.
- OpenGov saw a chance to visualize budgets and help leaders and citizens understand public finances quickly.
Mountain View Hires A CIO After Fragmented Tech
- Mountain View hired a CIO to centralize technology after many 'random acts of technology' across departments.
- Long-tenured government staff often find new tech unfamiliar and lack time to learn it.
Present Budgets Visually To Improve Understanding
- Use visualization tools in public presentations to make large budgets comprehensible and interactive.
- Let mayors and staff walk audiences through numbers with drill-downs instead of static PDFs.