IfG.CC - The Institute for eGovernment

As surely as Gutenberg's moveable type made possible mass communication of important ideas, the Internet revolution has made government useful, accessible and accountable in ways that couldn't be imagined a decade ago. Years of government investment in information technology now pay large dividends to ordinary citizens. Government agencies have developed Web sites that deliver an astonishing variety of valuable services and information to all who can find their way online But elements of the business community are uneasy. They recognize that government use of information technology has made the public sector more transparent and consumer friendly. But they can't stand the idea that cheap, effective public service might stand in the way of their making a buck.

A big-money, big-business advocacy group called the American Legislative Exchange Council is peddling "model" legislation that acts as a pre-emptive strike to protect this potential. The proposed law is called the Electronic Government Services Act, and it's designed to discourage public agencies from offering citizens services that private enterprises might themselves exploit for profit.

State Rep. Stephen Buehrer, R-Delta, was named the council's "Legislator of the Year" in 2002 and now he's sponsoring the act in Ohio.

Critics complain Rep. Buehrer tacked the legislation — House Bill 145 — onto the impossibly complicated budget bill in an attempt to tiptoe it through without public discussion. They are gravely concerned the law will be used to keep vital public information out of citizens' hands — especially citizens unwilling or unable to pay private business a premium for the privilege.

Rep. Buehrer says all he wants is to keep scarce public resources from being used to fund services the private sector can ably and economically provide.

But just how are state and local government services encroaching on business prerogatives in Ohio? For what online services can the private sector offer a better deal to the public than is now being provided by public agencies?

Here's what the business group backing the proposal cites as the most widespread "problem": Some states (not Ohio) offer an online service to expedite tax filings and help taxpayers calculate what they owe. This takes bread out of the mouths of H&R Block and manufacturers of tax-preparation software sold at office supply stores.

This vague threat to private enterprise hardly justifies sweeping legislation that is susceptible to abuse. The proposed bill wouldn't regulate just state agencies. It would also limit what local government agencies can do for their constituents. All would be prohibited from offering online services already provided by for-profit businesses.

Proponents say the act won't interfere with public agencies' ability to offer online information and services the public has grown accustomed to receiving. But you wouldn't know it from reading the bill.

Agencies that want to provide services would be required to first prepare a raft of onerous, make-work reports. Those, then, would be subject to layers of review. Businesses which aren't satisfied — or which just want to cause delay — are given the right to file lawsuits that force further review.

Mr. Buehrer's bill is a lousy deal for Ohioans, one that should be rejected without delay.

Quelle: Dayton Daily News