New York

News

 * Progress in NY! - Newly signed laws a ray of sunshine in Albany

Open Government Groups

 * digitaltowpath.org - jaiello@digitaltowpath.org
 * meetup.com/openny/
 * Digital Towpath (DTP) originated in Oneida County, New York at SUNY Institute of Technology through a collaboration with local officials from area towns and villages. The project has grown from the original 10 members to over 140 and there are now DTP websites in most counties across the NY State. Digital Towpath is, most importantly, a shared service of local government that provides open access to local governments. The project is governed by representatives from municipalities which have entered into an inter-municipal agreement, forming the Digital Towpath Cooperative (DTC).
 * Digital Towpath facilitates a consolidation of IT services and access to local government through its web-based applications. Small local governments are often unable to access quality IT services because of their distance from urban centers and small operating budgets. Digital Towpath not only supports their e-government services, but also serves as an IT information source, assisting members with technology decisions.
 * Digital Towpath facilitates, provides and supports transparency in government through citizen access to government actions and information via web based technologies. DTP members are supported by DTC staff through email and by phone. This support is not limited, nor does it come at additional cost. Members also support each other through the Digital Towpath Forum and through informal mutual support groups which have formed in many geographic areas.
 * Digital Towpath includes an in-depth online help system that users can access at their convenience. This help system includes subject-specific textual help as well as video tutorials on a variety of subjects related to the use of DTP tools.
 * Support is also offered through an annual training school held at SUNYIT in conjunction with the DTC annual meeting.