Data applications are reshaping Texas government transparency

March 20, 2011

Data applications are reshaping government transparency, panel says

By Andrea Leptinsky
Saturday, 12 March 2011

New technologies and resources are helping local and federal organizations deliver large amounts of data to the public. And according to one SXSW Interactive panel, this availability is extremely convenient in a time of budget crises and transparency demands.

Jeremiah Akin, team lead of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts’ data team, and Michael Castellon, e-communications coordinator and editor with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, said many agencies are turning to Google Maps and Google Earth, and are using KML data to visualize raw information online and on mobile devices. Their panel, “Why visualizing government data makes taxpayers happy,” took place at the Austin Convention Center on March 12.

Read the rest here at ImpactNews.com

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Texas Unclaimed Money Not So Easy to Claim?

March 10, 2011

Woman has been trying to claim money on state list for nine years!

NBC Dallas-Ft. Worth article By Ken Kalthoff

A North Texas woman whose name is on the state unclaimed property list says it may not be so easy to claim any of the $2.2 billion that is owed to Texans.

Kelly McCutcheon Canon has been trying since 2002 to get $3,700 that is listed under her maiden name. But the state refuses to acknowledge that she is the correct recipient, she said.

“If I were them and I had one person come forward for that, and it was only one person coming forward for that money, I’d at least look into making sure that that was the right person,” she said.

Read the rest here.

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