Session Date: August 18, 2005
Annual Meeting Session Summary: Technology for Legislators: Manage or Be Managed
By Michael Itti
Communications Officer, Washington House Democratic Caucus
This summary is provided for information purposes only. NCSL does not endorse any views it contains.
SEATTLE – Legislators should learn to manage technology, so it doesn't manage them, South Dakota Senator Royal "Mac" McCracken told state lawmakers during a panel discussion at the National Conference of State Legislatures' 2005 "Strong States, Strong Nation" Annual Meeting.
David Larson, director of Legislative Computing Services for the state of Kansas, reminded everyone that technology is on course to permeate every aspect of daily life. Having recently toured Microsoft’s Center for Information Work and Home, he shared what he learned.
“Adoption of wireless networking is happening faster than expected," Larson said. "Connectivity will be available anyplace, anytime.”
To provide a roadmap of online usage in the United States, Lee Rainie, director of Pew Internet and American Life, brought legislators up-to-date on the latest research and polling data. Rainie reported that 68 percent of adults use the Internet. Each day, 84 million adults check e-mail, use a search engine or read the news online. For the last three presidential campaign cycles, the number of adults logging on to follow the election is increasing. In 2004, 63 million used the Internet, compared with only 7 million in 1996.
Rainie said that of all government Web sites, state government sites are the number one type people access online.
To showcase an example of a tech-savvy legislator, Washington Representative Toby Nixon offered a glimpse into his wired life. The legislator and current program manager at Microsoft represents one of the most technologically-capable constituencies in the state.
Nixon described the many ways he receives information from constituents, co-workers and friends in his legislative, work and personal life. Methods include in-person visits, letters from three mail boxes, phone calls from five lines, faxes from three numbers, e-mail from four accounts, text messages, instant messages and the legislative hotline.
An avid computer user since the early 1980s, Nixon touted the importance of using all available resources to manage his many points of contact. A full time legislative assistant, tablet PC with an integrated wireless access card, cell phone and pocket PC help him stay productive and use his time efficiently.
Contrasting Nixon’s mastery of the latest gadgets and gizmos, the next panelist demonstrated that even a novice computer user can navigate the digital world.
Texas Representative Aaron Pena, who did not know how to use a computer until a few years ago, recently started blogging about his experiences in the House. He did this to increase communication with his constituents.
Pena encourages other lawmakers to blog. For the would-be blogger, he stresses the importance of developing trust. With time and effort, a blog can return many benefits, he said.
“My constituents get to know me on a personal level,” says Pena. “The blog helps me to drive the debate.”
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
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