The states continue to enhance their websites, but some have begun charging for access to certain types of information. While budgets are tight in many states, the idea of charging for information to help support the cost of developing and maintaining those sites gives me pause. On one hand, the model of charging for access to public infomation has precedent in the paper world. People usually paid for copies of requested documents because pubic employees, often in addition to their normal jobs, made those copies using state copiers and supplies. On the other hand, the cost burden is shifted to the users because the web enables self-service.
I believe the state government web public information model should not charge for information access. Initial costs of the state website should be a budgeted item. Ongoing maintenance, whether in-house or outsourced, should be funded by savings in those departments which can reduce costs by enabling citizen self-service transactions. Fee-for-service is a restrictive model for public information. Maximizing free access to information and transactions with state government will best serve a state's citizens.
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