The state will receive 20 percent of the gross revenues from the network, which will be made accessible to private communications carriers. The State Archives and Records Administration, in conjunction with the state library, operates the Government Information Locator System, an online directory that provides access to official state government information and Internet resources. Users can locate publications, briefs, reports, bills, orders, cases, opinions, judgments, and other information produced by state agencies, the legislature, or the judiciary. In addition, the Department of Education, Department of Health, and Office of General Services operate websites and Gopher servers that provide direct information to the public. Civic Networking WMHT Educational Telecommunications, Inc., WNYT-Channel 13, and the Center for Economic Growth in Albany have sponsored interactive town meetings on local issues including health care and community service regionalization.
Programs feature panel discussions, studio audience participation, and live viewer call-ins.
State Contracts and Procurement The Office of General Services operates the Electronic Access Pilot Program, a searchable online database for state contracts. The database can be searched by keyword, group or award number, or vendor name. Information about the contracts is detailed and appears to be complete. The New York State Senate's website allows Internet users to access a fully searchable legislative database. Users can check the status of bills, search state statutes, or look up state senators by zip code.