New York launches statewide open data platform
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the launch of the state’s first open data platform, open.ny.gov, that hopes to provide “unprecedented transparency across all levels of government and gives the people user-friendly access to vast quantities of information on our State.”
The new portal includes more than 200 datasets and visualizations on economic development, health, recreation and public services information and incorporates data from state and local government agencies. The site is powered by open data platform service provider Socrata.
“This new website will dramatically increase public access to one of our most valuable assets – data. As it expands and evolves over time, Open.ny.gov will spark innovation, improve efficiency, promote accountability, and bring the people back into government,” said Governor Cuomo in a prepared statement.
In tandem with the open.ny.gov launch, Cuomo issued an executive order directing state agencies to “review and catalogue data that they collect and take steps to make public data available.”
The executive order and data platform launch coincide with efforts related to Sunshine Week, a designated week of national awareness on transparency and the importance of making government information accessible to the public.
New York’s data is now searchable on the federal government’s data platform, Data.gov, where 39 states have provided data to the state-specific section of its website.
“New York State should be commended for its leadership in making government data more accessible, discoverable, and usable,” said U.S. Chief Technology Officer Todd Park. “Opening up government data will promote greater government efficiency and effectiveness, and will fuel a rising tide of private-sector entrepreneurship, innovation and discovery.”
In January, New York launched OpenBudget.ny.gov as part of Cuomo’s ‘Open New York’ initiative focused on leveraging technology “to promote transparency, improve government performance, and enhance citizen engagement.”
