The Red Brick Times

In Ohio, the "Electronic Government Services Act" has been tacked onto Ohio's current budget bill. It prohibits a state government agency from providing information if there are two or more competing private enterprises providing those services. That would mean that a government agency would not be allowed to post its regulations or decision on its Web site if, for example, Lexis, WestLaw, or other companies offer that information for sale.

Section 1306.25 (E)(1) further includes under "state agency" "similar agency of a county, township, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision,..." It then substantially limits their ability to publish electronically. While H.B. 145 is not as onerous as the previously withdrawn H.B. 482 of last year, it is a huge threat to public access.

This bill threatens the right of residents in Ohio from accessing state government information, created with their tax dollars, at no cost through the Internet. It is an abhorrent model that must be stopped short.

(FYI: I lifted this post verbatim from BoingBoing.)


Posted 12:56 PM by whatley (0) comments

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