How Guadalajara Killed the Paper Permit

Governments around the world are exploring whether blockchain technologies can improve public administration. In theory, blockchain could improve accountability and trust in government. In practice, pilot projects are hitting roadblocks and may take more time to implement and scale than some might hope.

ReadyReturn is the only program in the United States that provides taxpayers with completed tax returns. It’s simple, easy, and has a 99% user satisfaction rate. Who’s not happy? Intuit, H&R Block, and other tax preparers who have fought the California program every step of the way.

Cities such as Honolulu and Seattle are piloting AI tools like CivCheck to streamline the permitting process and flag incomplete applications before they get to planners’ desks, freeing up employees for more complex face-to-face work. In Honolulu, the tech has helped reduce the median wait time to receive a new building permit by about 40 percent.

City websites have embraced technology, allowing residents to pay bills, request permits, and attend council or commission meetings online. The shift, which was accelerated by the pandemic, also made the websites crucial information hubs, informing residents about everything from tax increases to street closings. The shift increased efficiency, for example decreasing in-person visits to City Hall, reporting problems like potholes any time, and officials are fielding fewer calls because information is readily accessible. Conducting business online also led to greater transparency into city business.

Kyrgyzstan is using technology to tackle corruption and reduce costs. The country is centralizing and digitizing government services with help from Estonia. It is also using biometrics in elections to reduce the chances of rigged ballots and build public trust.

Reduce corruption by making public data accessible and transparent. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, information about public works projects is available online, so excess spending is hard to hide. Meanwhile in Brazil, an observatory analyzes government expenditures and investigates suspicious transactions. Credit card expenditure fell by 25 percent after the data was published.

A lack of bureaucratic services has kept people in poverty around the world by limiting the number of documents attainable by citizens who have a low-income, verifying proof of property ownership. "Capacity building" in the form of sending "tax inspectors without borders," book-keeping classes, and expanding bureaucratic services for places in need, allow people to make investments in their properties that can lift them above the poverty line.

The Aloha i ke Kai Ocean Stewardship User Fee ($1 per ocean activity per person) was passed by legislators in 2021 to create dedicated resources for marine–focused projects with support from the state’s Division of Aquatic Resources. While still in its early stages, the program raised $2 million, with 55% to 60% compliance in its first year.

In 2021, as a result of pandemic shutdowns, the Hawaii Legislature instituted new rules allowing more hearings and committee meetings to be recorded and broadcast, giving members of the public the opportunity to access meetings and submit testimony remotely. Last year, more than 2,300 proceedings were recorded and archived, compared to only a few hundred per year before the new rules and technology were put in place.

In New England, government incentives and education are supporting and encouraging residents to swap their wood-burning stoves for high-efficiency models that burn less wood and emit less smoke. The aim is to reduce air pollution and its public health and climate impacts.