It's a slow process, for sure. It's difficult to even explain the utility of an API to the non tech-savvy until you show them an app that uses the data.

I live in NYC and they're doing a great job- but change isn't immediate. I'm really interested in the area of governmental data- I feel like there's a need/use for an open wiki style directory of info, but http://opengovernmentdata.org/ is already a good resource.

The worst part of that isn't that they don't know how to set up their own technology - it's that they get sold on whatever snake oil salesman takes them out to the most dinners, and overpromises the most while keeping it plausible.