[9855] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
MN Public Info Network Legislative Proposal (DRAFT)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (STEVEN.CLIFT@state.mn.us)
Mon Jan 24 12:44:15 1994
Date: Mon 24 Jan 1994 11:42 CT
To: ace-mg@esusda.gov, telecomreg@relay.adp.wisc.edu, ruralde@ksuvm.ksu.edu,
From: STEVEN.CLIFT@state.mn.us
This is a DRAFT proposal from the Electronic Access to Public Information
Task Force of the Information Policy Office, Minnesota Department of
Administration. This draft proposal is being circulate in both electronic
and paper forms throughout Minnesota. This release is directed at those
outside of Minnesota for your thoughts and comments.
This proposal has been influenced by what I have observed and learned from
the various electronic mail discussion lists that I follow. This is a
hybrid proposal that brings together a number of issues in ways that I have
not seen before, so I look forward to comments the wider on-line community
has on this proposal. Just below is part of a letter I wrote directed
toward those in Minnesota. Your comments are welcome as well....
Please send us your comments and suggestions by February 4, 1994 as indicated
in the text of this document. As of January 20, this proposal has been
presented to the full Electronic Access Task Force and the Information
Policy Council. They are just beginning to review this proposal. The
one thing that is guaranteed is that this proposal will change as it
moves toward and through the legislature process. This draft proposal
is more of a concept paper and much of this proposed activity does not
require legislative action, but the overall concept and funding will
need legislative support.
While I have been researching and developing this proposal since early fall,
(I have been on the Internet for two years and run a public policy (PUBPOL-L)
electronic mail list at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, U of Minn.)
the timing of its release is very good. It should be of interest to a
number of people and gain some public attention. On a lighter note, I think
government interest was illustrated by the good turnout we had at our
Task Force meeting on January 18 when it was about -20F. I have a new
theory about why Minnesota is known for having innovative government programs:
we spend our cold winters thinking up good ideas for public services because
there is little to distract us. If this is a relative theory inversely
related to how cold it is, the Minnesota Public Information Network should
be a great proposal. However, we need your feedback to ensure that it is
developed with broad government and public support.
Sincerely,
Steven L. Clift
Information Policy Office
steven.clift@state.mn.us
MINNESOTA PUBLIC INFORMATION NETWORK
Legislative Proposal
DRAFT - FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT
Information Policy Office
Department of Administration
State of Minnesota
January 18, 1994
Electronic Version - Release 1.1
Prepared by Steven Clift
Information Policy Office
For the Electronic Access to Public Information
Ad-hoc Task Force
MINNESOTA PUBLIC INFORMATION NETWORK
Legislative Proposal - Draft for Review and Comment
Introduction
During the 1993 legislative session, a proposal was
introduced that raised a number of issues around the need to
improve public access to government information and the
delivery of services through the use of information
technology. The Information Policy Office, with the support
of the Information Policy Council, established the Ad-Hoc
Electronic Access to Public Information Task Force to
address those issues and propose an overall strategy for
coordinated state-wide electronic public access and service
delivery.
Summary
The Minnesota Public Information Network will be
established to improve public access to government
information and the delivery of government services through
the use of information technology. This draft legislative
proposal covers the purpose, responsibility, and authority
of the MPIN. The MPIN will assist government planning,
coordination, and collaboration to ensure that the public
interest is served through the creation of an open,
accessible, and organized electronic communication
enivornment for the citizen's interaction with government.
It will develop access methods to government information
through a common access point that use multiple information
technologies.
Most information and services will be provided by State
agencies, local governments, educational institutions,
libraries, and other government units through the expanding
government information networks. This proposal takes the
approach that the use of information technology in services
to the public need to be integrated into the work of a
government unit. It also defines a set of information
resources, the "Tools of Democracy" that are important for
citizen participation and should be made available at no or
low cost.
It is proposed that the MPIN be administered through
the Department of Administration. A direct Legislative
funding request will be developed and it is likely that
Federal matching funds will exist for planning and
demonstration projects. The final section lists a number of
recommended changes to the Data Practices Act to ensure
electronic access to public information and it addresses
some other important issues.
Comments and Suggestions
This proposal will be widely circulated in both paper
and electronic formats. Written comments and suggestions
are requested through Friday, February 4, 1994. The
proposal will then be written into legislative form for
consideration during the upcoming legislative session later
in the month. Please send your comments to the IPO:
Electronic Access to Public Information Task Force
c/o Steven Clift
Information Policy Office
Minnesota Department of Administration
320 Centennial Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Telephone: (612)297-5561
Fax:(612)296-5800
Electronic Mail:
steven.clift@state.mn.us
MINNESOTA PUBLIC INFORMATION NETWORK
1.0 Overview - A Time for Action
The time for action is here. The demand for
government services is outstripping the public resources
available. This requires that Minnesota develop more
effective and efficent ways to deliver public services. The
use of information technology in the interactions between
the public and government will be a public investment that
will allow us to develop those methods.
We are in a new information era and with it comes
opportunities for the citizens of Minnesota and their
government. Advancing information technologies and
expanding information networks make the citizen a more
active and energetic information consumer and producer. The
challenge for our democratic society and its governing
institutions is to determine how we will use this energy and
possibility to address the public challenges that face us
all.
Whether it is Vice-President Al Gore giving a speech
about the "information super highway," another cable and
telephone company partnership, or a story about the millions
of people using electronic mail, we sense that a fundamental
shift in how communication determines what kind of world we
live in is occurring. The State of Minnesota must begin to
address these challenges by concentrating its efforts on
organizing a portion of this new communications environment.
The Minnesota Public Information Network (MPIN)will be
established to improve public access to government
information and to improve the delivery of services to the
public. The general purpose of the Minnesota Public
Information Network is to make government more open,
efficient, effective, and responsive to each and every
citizen through the application and use of a wide array of
information technologies. It will help build and organize
an electronic communications environment that will allow the
citizen to interact with all levels of government by
concentrating on improving public access to government
information and the delivery of public services.
While the private sector and government as a whole
addresses the building of the "information super-highway,"
and the development of more advanced information
technologies, the Minnesota Public Information Network will
create a central coordination point for government
information in electronic form. It will be built with
citizen, government, and private sector involvement and with
the needs of the information consumer in mind. While the
Nation determines what "universal service," "open access,"
or "public-right-of-way" will mean in this new information
age, Minnesota will work to ensure that its citizens have
information tools, resources, and services to make those
concepts mean something.
Note: The flow chart graphic has been omitted from the
electronic version. If you are located within North America
and would like a copy, I will fax it to you upon request.
Please send me an e-mail message at steven.clift@state.mn.us
with subject: Fax Chart Request.
Minnesota Public Information Network
2.0 PRINCIPLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND AUTHORITY
The MPIN will be responsible for developing a state-
wide, comprehensive, and coordinated public access system to
government information and services. It will provide
leadership in planning and help set Minnesota's direction in
the creation of major government information resources and
initiatives geared toward the public. It will help
coordinate and bring together demonstration and planning
projects. It will work to ensure that the public interest
is served through the creation of an open, accessible, and
organized electronic communication environment for the
citizens and their government.
2.1 Guiding Principles
1. It is in the public interest to improve and promote
public access to government information in electronic forms.
2. It is in the public interest to use information
technology to improve the delivery of public services and to
encourage more convenient and efficient transactions between
the public and government.
3. The application of information technology in
communications between government and the citizen is by its
very nature interactive and should be used to help the
citizen access and develop an interchange with government
institutions.
4. Scarce resources and significant costs make it
imperative that government entities at all levels coordinate
their efforts and integrate these activities into the whole
of their organizations in order to achieve the best possible
outcome for the public.
5. Government collaboration and cooperation must ensure the
inter-operability of public access systems, a diversity of
information sources, and the development of an open,
accessible, and organized electronic communication
environment that is user-friendly.
6. This communications environment must be designed from
the citizens' perspective and allow for broad public
involvement in its growth and development. The public
access system should also be developed with an understanding
of the global nature of information networks and of the
important role the private sector will play in the
development of the Nation's information infrastructure.
7. The MPIN must work to ensure universal service and open
access to government information and services through
libraries, schools, businesses, and homes through
telecommunications and information networks.
2.2 Responsibilities and Authority
1. Lead statewide planning efforts and assist state
agencies, local government, educational and other public
sector entities in the planning and development of
information resources and services geared toward the public.
2. Coordinate and assist demonstration projects at all
levels of government in this area. With sufficient funding,
the MPIN will help support initiatives requiring matching
funds from the Federal government or other funding sources.
(See funding section 5.0)
3. Ensure inter-governmental coordination and collaboration
and the adoption of general standards and protocols where
appropriate. These standards must be flexible and
anticipate the introduction of new technologies and
applications.
4. Ensure that planning and project evaluation efforts
include public involvement and user feedback. This should
also include an evaluation of consumer interest and demand.
5. Develop a pro-active approach in the promotion of public
access to government information and improved delivery of
services.
6. Develop outreach, training, and education efforts geared
toward the public and government.
7. Develop positive relationships with community-based and
civic networks, Freenets, commercial information services in
order to broaden public access to the state-wide public
access system.
8. The MPIN is not authorized to serve as a network service
provider (i.e. full Internet access, sale of individual
electronic mail accounts, etc.), where other commercial,
non-profit, Internet providers and government
telecommunications networks are more appropriate. (i.e.
USWest, Minnesota Regional Net, MNet (STARS), etc.)
3.0 COMMON ACCESS, RESOURCES, AND PUBLIC ACCESS METHODS
3.1 Common Access Point and Government Information Locator
System
The MPIN will create a government information locator
system and a common access point. The common access point
will bring together all networked government information
resources and services in order to present a "single-face"
to government that is organized and user-friendly. The
government information locator system would provide details
on possible government information resources and provide
directions on where to obtain government information not
accessible through the common access point.
The distributed nature of government information
networks and resources will require an approach that
understands that participating government units will likely
be the primary information creators and providers. Also,
the expansion and increasing inter-operability of government
information networks and the need for government agencies to
integrate electronic access and service delivery in to their
work at all levels, will require a coordinated approach.
The past models of information service centralization will
not meet the requirements of the new information age.
These systems will be accessible through the Internet
(see Section 3.5) and through dial-up connections with a
modem and computer. As digital data networks expand,
whether it be through a "digital dial-tone" or through cable
television lines, the MPIN will seek to ensure that these
services are accessible through those networks. Also, the
common access point must support widely accepted network
applications and government information resources must be
flexible enough to allow access through multiple interfaces
and applications.
During its initial phase, the common access point will
provide access to Minnesota government based information
servers that are geared toward the public, government
sponsored computer bulletin boards and databases, library
catalogs, local, educational, Federal and other important
public sector information resources and to the "Tools of
Democracy" which are described in the next section.
INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICES
3.2 General Information and Services
State agencies, local governments, educational
institutions, and other units of government produce and
distribute information in the pursuit of their mission.
This is the kind of information that governments are
beginning to distribute electronically. In most cases,
through information servers housed at a government agency,
they will provide access to the electronic equivalent of
newsletters, brochures, press releases, reports, and other
publications. Of the 14 government agencies present at the
first Electronic Access to Public Information Task Force
meeting in October 1993, almost all reported current
activities or plans in this area.
Governments are also developing more convenient and
efficient ways to deliver services to the public through the
use of information technology. These transactions with
government may take place in the home, at a public access
terminal, or through an information kiosk. Examples of
services include renewing motor vehicle tabs, ordering an
official copy of a birth certificate for mail delivery, or
registering for an interview at your local Jobs and Training
Office.
3.3 "Tools of Democracy"
The MPIN will plan and help develop major state-wide
information resources and tools that will provide means to
help the citizen access the government bureaucracy, find
government information, offices, and services, and improve
democratic participation. These core information resources
must be made available to the general public at no or low
cost. Local and regional units of government will be
encouraged to complement these tools with information
resources that encompass similar information geared toward
their citizens. The "Tools of Democracy" include:
A. Directory of Government Services and Institutions -
This directory would be a combination of the State
Telephone Directory and the Guide to State Agency Services
which would eventually cover all levels of government and
allow for easy access to government contacts within
government and by the public. (A Request for Proposals has
been issued by the State for the integration of disparate
electronic mail systems and for directory services which
should offer a base for activities in this area.)
B. Legislative Information -
The MPIN will work with the State Legislature and the
Revisor's Office to provide electronic public access to
legislative information including public information
newsletters, bill text and summaries, meeting schedules,
research reports, and other information vital to promoting
citizen participation and understanding of the legislative
process. This also includes electronic access to the basic
text of the State Statutes and Rules. (The House of
Representatives and the Revisor's Office have developed
"Gopher" servers that are accessible through the Internet
at: gopher.revisor.leg.mn.state.us . It is likely that
these legislative branch gopher servers are currently the
most developed in the world.)
C. Governor's Office, Constitutional Officers, and
Executive Branch Information -
The MPIN will work with the Governor's Office to make
important documents, releases, speeches and proclamations
available to the public in electronic form. Much of the
core information about the Executive Branch and information
from the offices of other Constitutional Officers will be
contained in the "Directory." The MPIN will provide access
to the information resources and services developed and
maintained by those offices through the common access point.
D. State Virtual Public Library -
Working with the various networks of libraries in
Minnesota, an information system containing the digitized
text of important government documents and publications will
be created. This is a long-term project that will require
planning, the major involvement of the State's libraries,
and an allocation of resources.
3.4 Fee-Based Services and Transactions
Many of the services of this type would likely find an
increase in demand for their services if they made them
available through the common access point. The Data
Practices Act allows agencies to charge a fee that recovers
demonstrated information development costs when it is
commercially valued. In most cases, this type of public
information is on individuals, entities, or properties.
Many of the currently operational government information
services are the result of demand from the private sector
for information. In many cases the State Legislature has
developed special requirements that state agencies fund the
provision of those resources through fees on the information
user. Examples include the electronic provision of business
registrations by the Secretary of State or motor vechicle
record searches in the Department of Public Safety.
(Section 6.0 more fully addresses some issues in this area.)
Another type of fee-based service might include an
information service geared toward a narrow constituency.
The agency might decide that this service should not be
subsidized by the taxpayers as a whole because the benefits
are received by a small portion of the public. In these
cases, the agency may charge no more than the cost to
provide the service. However, when such a service is made
available through the common access point the agency may be
able to support an expanded level of service due to an
increase in demand.
The third fee-based arrangement may include the
enhanced delivery of a public service or government product,
like a form, license, etc.. In some cases the development
of an enhanced level of service may be supported by what
amounts to a surcharge to support the operation and
development of that service. This is used to support a
portion of the costs for a number of kiosk networks in other
states.
PUBLIC ACCESS METHODS
3.5 Internet and Dial-up Connections
The Internet is often referred to as a precursor to the
"information super-highway". It is a global network of
networks that allows for the transfer of digital information
of all kinds. It will likely provide the most cost
efficient method to ensure broad public access to government
information over the long run. In the short-term allowing
for dial-up connections and public access terminals to the
common access point will need to be available.
The most frequently cited Internet information server
is called "Gopher." The software was developed by the
University of Minnesota and is now used around the world to
present basic textual information and link access points to
other information systems. For those with a high-speed
data connection, it is possible to use a program called
Mosaic which allows for the use of graphics, linked text,
sound, etc. through these networks. Also, some cable
systems and telephone companies in the United States are now
offering high-speed digital access to the Internet. The
MPIN will work to assist the public sector in efforts to
take advantage of these advancements, but will ensure that
technological capacities do not create barriers for the
public attempting to access government information or
services.
3.6 Electronic Mail Distribution
The MPIN will develop an information server that can
distribute selected government information and documents
through electronic mail and eventually through a fax-back
system. This server will allow most citizens who have
commercial or Internet electronic mail accounts to retrieve
documents by sending basic commands to the server. This is
based on a model currently used by the USDA Extension
Service and the Americans Communicating Electronically
initiative. To test their systems, send an empty e-mail
message to: info@ace.esusda.gov .
This server will also have mailing list capabilities
(often referred to as a "listserver") that will allow
agencies to broadcast or distribute information to
established lists of subscribers. State agencies and other
government units will also be able to use this server to
develop electronic mail working groups for a specific
program or within the context of their mission. This server
will not be the host of general social or political debate
which should remain unencumbered by government sanction or
oversight.
3.7 Kiosks
The MPIN will be the host for the coordination of an
information kiosk initiative. This initiative will involve
interested State Agencies and other units of government.
The information kiosks will be used to improve the delivery
of public services and allow for transaction based services.
The MPIN will be responsible for the development of a
general kiosk platform and network for government use in
Minnesota.
Kiosk initatives are highly visible and currently
provide the best platform for secure transactions between a
member of the public and government services. The
Info/California kiosk effort and the activities of other
states need to be fully examined and the lessons from their
experience should be integrated into Minnesota efforts.
3.8 Clearinghouse
The MPIN will develop a clearinghouse on the use of
information technologies, including interactive voice mail
response systems and fax back retrieval systems, used to
improve the dissemination of information or delivery of
services to the public. This clearinghouse will also
collect information from sources both inside and outside of
Minnesota on information services and activities used in the
public sector. The MPIN will also use its electronic
mailing list capabilities to establish links for the sharing
of knowledge and experience among those government units
using or developing plans to use specific information tools
in their interactions with the public.
4.0 MPIN LOCATION AND STRUCTURE
1. The Minnesota Public Information Network will be
administered through the Department of Administration.
2. The Information Policy Council and the Information
Policy Office (IPO) will act as the advisory bodies to MPIN.
3. The MPIN will create working groups that involve other
units of government in statewide planning, the development
of major services, assist with the creation of standards and
protocols for public access systems, and work to integrate
the use of information technology into government
interaction with the public generally.
4. The IPO will have the ultimate authority to establish
standards and protocols for government organizations to
follow in the development and use of information kiosks,
network applications and systems used to access government
information, government computer bulletin board systems, and
other systems that allow electronic access to government
information and services. These standards and protocols
must be flexible in nature and not constrain the use of new
technologies and applications. They must focus on ensuring
the development of user-friendly systems and the creation of
common government electronic communication environment. The
MPIN will work with the IPO in this area.
5. The IPO and MPIN will report on policy issues that arise
during the development and implementation of this
initiative. They will also lend advice on issues related to
government access to the advancing information and
telecommuncations networks and develop policy guidelines and
recommendations for legislative action. The IPO must
address the development of fee guidelines to assist
government units in pricing of information services
according to the Data Practices Act.
6. The MPIN will issue a report during the 1995 Legislative
Session on how it proposes to carry out its mission and meet
its responsibilities.
5.0 MPIN FUNDING AND RESOURCES
Appropriations and other funds made available to the
Minnesota Public Information Network for staff, operational
expenses, and grants will be administered through the
Department of Administration.
The majority of the initial planning, demonstration,
and general operating resources will come from an
appropriation from the Legislature and matching grants from
the Federal government. The MPIN will explore the issue of
whether it should establish fees to fund a portion of the
operating costs and future development of information
resources and public access systems.
It is likely that major public investment in this area
will be spread out across all levels of government. This
view fits with the perspective in this proposal that the use
of information technology to improve public access and
service delivery must be integrated into the work of
government. The MPIN will assist government units by
developing a state-wide framework and with an appropriate
level of funding, issue grants for planning and
demonstration projects in this area.
5.1 Legislative Appropriation
The MPIN will request a $__________________
appropriation for FY95 for the first phase of the
development of this initiative. They will return to the
Legislature with a budget request for FY96-97 during the
next legislative session.
5.2 Federal Matching Grants
The United States Department of Commerce, National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA),
will be releasing a request for proposals for its National
Information Infrastructure Planning and Demonstration Grants
Program in the near future.
The MPIN will apply for major matching grants in the
areas of state planning and demonstration projects. The
total amount to be distributed this year is $26 million.
(Pending U.S. Senate approval the authorization for FY95 is
$100 million and FY96 is $150 million.) It looks like they
will be allocating sixty percent for demonstration grants,
twenty percent for local planning and twenty percent for
state planning. Overall, if Minnesota received only two
percent of the total matching grants in these areas it would
total over $500,000.
The NTIA expects proposals to come from all levels of
government and from other organizations. With adequate
funding, the MPIN will assist selected Minnesota based
proposals. This assistance may include contributions toward
planning or demonstration projects of up to the full amount
required by the Federal matching grant program. We will be
watching for more details about this program as they emerge.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE DATA PRACTICES ACT
6.0 ENSURING ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION
Minnesota Statutes Section 13.03, Subdivision 1.
requires that for public data, "The responsible authority in
every state agency, political subdivision and statewide
system shall keep records containing government data in such
an arrangement and condition as to make them easily
accessible for convenient use." The advancing use of
information technology and information networks in both
business and society requires that government maintain a
relative level of convenience. The amendments to the Data
Practices Act will affirm this analysis by establishing the
State's interest in promoting electronic access to public
information and the use of information technology to improve
the delivery of public services and allow for electronic
transactions.
6.1 "Tools of Democracy"
Define a core set of government electronic information
resources that must be provided at no cost or low cost to
the general public. These "Tools of Democracy" (as
mentioned in the MPIN section) are geared to help the
citizen break through government bureaucracy, find
government information, offices, and services, and improve
democratic participation. The core information resources
are:
1. Legislative information, reports, documents, meeting notices and
bill text.
2. Releases and official documents of the Governor's Office
3. Basic text of State Statutes and Rules
4. State Telephone Directory and Guidebook to State Agency Services
or a new combined electronic version thereof.
Agency Service's or a new combined electronic
5. Development of a Statewide Virtual Public Library over the long-term.
6.2 Equity of Access to Fee-based Services
Government units that provide fee-based information
services must also ensure equity of access to public
information contained in those services. Options include
on-site public access terminals, arrangements by the
government unit with public libraries or other institutions,
a rebate system, time-based no-fee or subsidized access
(non-peak hours), or a base time or search allotment of free
trial access.
Note: The current Statute allows agencies to charge a fee no
higher than it costs to provide an information "service"
that goes beyond basic "convenience". In cases where the
information has "commercial value," fees may be set to
recover "actual development costs of the information."
The cost savings or benefits to both the consumer of
government information and services and to the government
itself will be difficult to measure until such services are
developed. This proposal, which establishes the "Tools of
Democracy", assumes that specialized information services
created by an agency and a core group of client
institutions, for example, may require a fee based set-up to
fund the development and delivery of such a service. The
question of when an information service should subsidized by
the taxpayers as a whole must be viewed within the context
of a government unit's mission and authority.
6.3 Public Access to Search Tools
Establish the right of public access and use of
electronic search and database tools. In situations where a
government unit has created a database or information system
where the value of the information, or
combination/manipulation of pieces of public data is
affected by the use those search tools the public shall have
the right to use those search tools. Government units shall
have the authority to determine how best to ensure access,
but it is the State's interest to promote both on-site and
remote access.
6.4 On-site Electronic Inspection
The notion of electronic inspection will be established
as it relates to the public's right to view information
stored on-site in electronic form. Government units must
ensure that the public has access to public information in
whatever form, but may develop policies and procedures that
maintain the security of their information system. These
policies and procedures must not deny the public the right
to inspect government information in a timely manner nor may
they inhibit the public's access to the available public
information. (In some cases an agency may have an employee
assist someone or they may ultimately print the information
and allow inspection that way.)
6.5 Government Subscription-based Publications in
Electronic Form
If a government units function is to develop and
distribute fee-based subscription based information in print
form, the addition of electronic dissemination or access may
be integrated into the overall fee structure. A government
unit may choose to provide subsidized or free access to past
publications and must provide for electronic dissemination
when possible and found to be in the interest of the
information consumer. (i.e. State Register, etc.)
6.6 Monopoly Control Prohibited without Statuatory
Exemption
Units of government shall not enter into agreements
that provide for exclusive of monopoly control of public
information in electronic form through a single commercial
entity unless provided for under Statute. This does not
prohibit non-government entities from offering value-added
services that contain public information. Also, government
units may enter into non-exclusive agreements with
commercial or non-profit information services.
6.7 Commercial Provision of Public Information
The provision or sale of public information by a
commercial information provider must contain accurate
information on how and where that information may be
obtained directly from government. This applies to
situations where the information has not been enhanced
significantly or was copied from the government information
providers public access system without an agreement between
the government unit and the commercial information provider.
This section represents a balance between the private
entities right to use the public information for whatever
purpose and the public's right to access it as established
by government.
6.8 MPIN and Non-exclusive Arrangements with Non-Government
Entities
The Minnesota Public Information Network is authorized
to establish non-exclusive arrangements with commercial and
non-profit information and network service providers. These
arrangements may allow access to the state-wide public
access system through those service providers. Fees may be
established in accordance with the Data Practices Act, but
should be structured to ensure broad public access. This
provision, for example, could provide for access to the
state-wide common access point to be available through a
community-based information network or Freenet at no cost to
that provider. A commercial information provider through
negotiations with the MPIN may be charged a fee associated
with the commercial value of the information service.
END OF DRAFT PROPOSAL
Version 1.0 Paper version to Task Force, IPC, and others
Version 1.1 Electronic release with minor grammatical edits
This is short summary that was presented to the Information
Policy Council on January 20, 1994:
Minnesota Public Information Network Highlights
The Minnesota Public Information Network will:
* Improve public access to government information and the
delivery of services to the public through the use of
information technology.
* Help organize an user-friendly electronic communications
environment that will allow citizens and businesses to
interact more effectively and efficiently with all levels of
government.
* Lead state-wide planning projects and help bring together
demonstration projects from all levels of government that
are geared toward the public.
* Provide outreach, training, and educational programs for
government and the public.
* Develop a common access point to government information
and services that can be accessed through multiple
technologies and applications. This will include the use of
the computers, public-access terminals, and kiosks through
the Internet, dial-up connections, and through future high-
speed information networks that will provide service to
homes and businesses.
* Be funded through an appropriation from the Legislature
and through potential Federal matching grants.
* Be located within the Department of Administration and the
Information Policy Office and the Information Policy Council
will act as advisory bodies.
State Agencies, Local Governments, Libraries, Educational
Institutions, and Other Government Units will:
* Be the primary information and service providers through
the common access point that is coordinated by the Minnesota
Public Information Network. The expanding information
networks will allow government units to develop, organize,
and maintain responsibility for the information and services
they provide from almost any location.
* Need to integrate the use of information technology
throughout their organization to assist in its dealings with
the public where useful and appropriate.
* Begin to develop plans and proposals for public
information electronic access and service delivery. The
MPIN will be a major information resource in this area and
will help develop collaborative projects that allow
government units to pool their resources and expertise.
This will help address budget constraints for both large and
small government organizations
* Participate in working groups organized by MPIN to help
government units share knowledge, expertise, and develop
appropriate and flexible standards and protocols for public
access systems.
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Comments and Suggestions
Please send in your written comments and suggestions by
Friday, February 4, 1994. The proposal will then be written
into legislative form for consideration during the upcoming
legislative session later in the month.
Electronic Access to Public Information Task Force
c/o Steven Clift
Information Policy Office
Minnesota Department of Administration
320 Centennial Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Telephone: (612)297-5561
Fax:(612)296-5800
Electronic Mail:
steven.clift@state.mn.us
