Because e-mails are less formal than letters, he responds to them faster, more concisely and any time he wants which is good because he s not always available by phone. More to Come As more lawmakers and the public become comfortable with technology, demand is likely to fuel increased usage of the Internet for electronic communication and digitized information, state officials say. Most envision a greater adoption of wireless and handheld devices among lawmakers, and some are already using personal digital assistants to keep track of their appointments, e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Others said state legislatures could become a model for a truly paperless office. They say requests are already down for printed reports, bills, amendments and hardbound copies of blue books, with their government information.
Possibilities are limitless.
In Minnesota and Nevada, legislatures have rooms wired to receive testimony beamed from other areas in the state. This allows the public greater and easier access to the legislature, especially if constituents live hours away or are crunched for time. Clift said state legislatures need to enhance technology because the executive branches of their governments are spending millions of dollars to do the same thing. If not, it is an imbalance in power. The FCW.COM privacy policy , our link disclaimer and information about linking to us and online permissions .