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Richard Piatt reportingFans of open government are quickly learning about the new high-tech Utah Senate. This year, there is more online access to meetings, hearings and news conferences than ever before.
Technology is opening up what goes on at the Utah Capitol. On TV, phones, and on the Internet, Utah's Senate is trying things few government entities have done before.
Technology guru Michael Castner said, "Whether you like your lawmakers or you dislike your lawmakers, at least you see a lot more of what's going on."
Castner set up a similar network of gadgets at KSL Radio's "Nightside Project."
Now, online on "The Senate Site," there are both written and video blogs. There is streaming video on "Senate Tube," as well as a link to past Senate floor debates, recorded on a number of cameras in the chamber.
You can sign up for text message updates on your cell phone. There is even a link to a camera in the Senate President's office. President John Valentine says, oddly, only certain people have objected to it.
"You know, the most interesting thing is the people who ask me to turn the camera off, the most are members of the media," he said.
"I know exactly why," he continued, "because they don't want their competitor to know they're talking to the president."
One of the Internet cameras in the House captured Senator Chris Buttars uttering a statement he later regretted this year. But most people appreciate the new openness that can increase the audience of any given Senate event, exponentially.
"I really don't mind having a camera in my office," Valentine said. "We wanted to open it up."
It's a peek behind the scenes, an experiment that seems to be working and getting more popular all the time.
Internet video an audio are available on the Utah Legislature's regular Web site. You can access the technology on the Senate's blog site at Senatesite.com.
