Pundit Country

I’m always interested in new, creative ways to get people involved with politics in a way that’s both easy and informative. It seems that someone in New York is also thinking along those lines with some interesting results. If it works, it’ll be a must have for state activists and watchdogs as a way of both maintaining transparency and keeping the lines of communication open for people who increasingly want their information mobile.

Text message “nysenate marriage” or “nysenate Adams” or “nysenate S427″ to 41411 and get back a list of relevant bills or a short description of the bill in question right to your cell phone. It’s part of the burgeoning Open NY Senate initiative, and while developer Nathan Freitas admits that the trial is proof-of-concept and will likely only appeal to the wonkiest of state government nerds, it’s a demonstration of what parsed, searchable legislative data makes possible. The ultimate goal, says Freitas, is to make finding out what’s happening in government “as easy as looking up sports scores.” Might be useful the next time you’re trying to settle a bar bet over what Albany is up to.

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