All U.S. legislators, on the local, state, and federal levels, carry a heavy burden—and that’s just in reference to the bulky paper copies of every bill they review before voting.
So it should come as no surprise that some elected officials are determined to ditch their hard copies and go digital instead. Indiana, Virginia, and Vermont are running pilot tests in their state legislatures; the West Virginia State Senate already has gone all-electronic.
In the Indiana State Senate, Majority Whip Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield) is currently chairing a panel that is considering the adoption of Apple iPad tablet computers for electronic distribution of draft legislation. A decision is expected by the end of October, either to go forward digitally or to require further review.
Aside from the evident environmental advantages of abandoning paper, Hershman—who already owns and uses a personal iPad for legislative business— said that, if all lawmakers used iPads, the legislative process would be more transparent and legislators could provide better service to constituents.
"Quite often government is slow to look at enhanced efficiency by leveraging technology," Hershman commented.
Although the iPad is pricey—$499 to $829 per tablet, depending on features—Hershman said Indiana could offset the necessary outlay by no longer providing legislators with laptop computers and by reducing printing expenses. Hershman said the committee is considering the iPad over other tablet computers because of Apple's (News 
- Alert) market dominance.
"Especially near the end (of session), how many times have we waited to consider a budget because they are feverishly printing hundreds of copies?" Hershman said. "I think there's great potential here."
State Senators in West Virginia agree. Since the measure was approved four weeks ago, on August 1, they have been the first legislators in the nation to rely on iPad technology to conduct day-to-day business. At a preliminary cost of $30,000, the Senate has purchased 40 iPad 2 tablets, priced at $699 each. An app has been developed to allow Senators to access information. The iPads are being used to:
- View bills and charts;
- Communicate with each other, as well as with House of Delegates members; and
- Take notes during committee meetings.
Acting West Virginia Senate President Jeff Kessler (D-Marshall) said he is confident that this new technology will work and make the legislature more efficient. “We hope this new technology will make it easier for legislators to stay on top of bills, track bills, track amendments that are presented,” Kessler said. “We’re confident this is going to work out.”
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Nearby, since last January, the Virginia General Assembly has been testing 30 of the tablets. The State House’s IT department delivered the iPad 15 to delegates, while the State Senate’s General Laws and Technology Committee got 15 iPads as well.
The goal of the pilot is to cut down on paper usage. A few years ago, Virginia lawmakers were given laptops, in a similar—but unsuccessful— effort to wean them off lugging around large, printed books of bills. Now, State tech officials say they’ve been encouraged by early iPad feedback from even the most technophobic state representatives and senators.
And up north, a committee of the Vermont Legislature is involved in an experiment with tablet computers that could be the first step toward a paperless Statehouse. The 11 members of the House Government Operations Committee have been given Apple iPads, which enable them to download information, access the Internet, and take notes. In the place of a white board on the wall of the committee room is a flat video screen.
Each session, the Statehouse copy room goes through 1.6 million pieces of paper. That doesn't count House and Senate calendars and journals, which are printed offsite. The Legislative Council's Duncan Goss told the Burlington Free Press the legislature spends about $425 for paper copies every session for each lawmaker. Over a two-year session, the $600 iPads could become cost-effective.
Thus, it seems like the iconic iPad is on a political roll. In other districts nationwide, it is already making high-profile cameo appearances. Perhaps the most prominent sighting has been in New York City, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg (News - Alert) has been using an iPad since 2010.
"It's amazing," Bloomberg said at a tech conference last year. "I told Steve Jobs (News - Alert) the other day, if he can improve on this, it'll really be amazing. I just, every time I play with it, I discover something new."
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Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.
Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard (News - Alert) Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
