Government has a policy over people problem, civic tech leader argues – By Natalie Alms (Nextgov) / June 13, 2023
In a new book, Code for America founder Jennifer Pahlka argues that government implementers need more authority to avoid becoming risk-averse compliance agents.
An “implementation crisis,” Jennifer Pahlka writes in her new book, “threatens our democracy.”
“Even the process of getting a construction permit, registering a vehicle, or just filing taxes can erode faith in our system of government,” she writes. “We can’t afford this downward spiral of poor service leading to alienation and decreased political participation, which in turn leads to poor service.”
Pahlka is the founder of civic tech nonprofit Code for America. She served a stint as the deputy chief technology officer at the White House and helped found the U.S. Digital Service.
