Gateway to Gov - Research and Discussion Blog

NYC Council’s Technology in Government Committee held a public hearing to discuss Int. 991-2009, a bill sponsored by Gale Brewer  mandating that NYC government release all city data online. Full video coverage shows that the administration is less than supportive of this legislation.

As Joly MacFie put it:

“… Bloomberg’s announcement upstages a much wider proposal by Gale Brewer to make as much NYC government data as possible available, rather than just 82 selected sets.”

In what appears to be a similar vein, though this hasn’t been officially confirmed, the NYCEDC has released a NYC Data RFEI -

“The New York City Economic Development Corporation (“NYCEDC”), on behalf of New York City (“City”), seeks expressions of interest from individuals and organizations with experience developing software applications. Respondents to this RFEI are requested to submit written descriptions of City-related data they would like to see made public. These descriptions should provide as much detail as possible about the type and level of data desired. In addition, respondents are requested to describe how they envision the data being used in software applications that provide a useful service to City residents, visitors and government. The information gathered from this RFEI will be used to help the City decide how to prioritize the release of City data to the public in a format easily utilized by application developers. City data will be released or reformatted in connection with a related software application competition where contestants will develop applications that make it easier to live, work and play in New York City.”

Register for the RFEI on the NYCEDC’s website or download the RFEI directly.