The debate over how to finance electronic filing directly impacts the amount of sunshine that will reach the public docket. Follow the money to determine the amount of light that gets through. If electronic filing is going to save all the money vendors proclaim, and it probably will, why should greedy vendors be allowed to graft a revenue-generating meter on the public docket. Electronic filing should be initially financed by legislative appropriation, something typical of a capital expenditure. A slight increase in court costs, perhaps initial filing fee, is all right, if necessary to prevent selling the docket.
Full access means free access.
Court costs or legislative appropriation should cover any maintenance shortfall. At the minimum, sunshine should be given a chance. The alternative is scary. Once the docket is sold, or leased, it will be nearly impossible to get it back. They are not charged for looking at a file.