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An Open Spat Over 'Open Source' Policy
by Chloe AlbanesiusMassachusetts state Sen. Marc Pacheco on Wednesday questioned the authority of state Finance Secretary Eric Kriss and Chief Information Officer Peter Quinn in deciding to switch the state's computer network to an "open source" platform.
"We're questioning the administration to figure out where legal authority came from that would lead them to believe that they could go out and implement a policy that was biased to any section of government," said Pacheco, Democratic chairman of the Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee. Kriss and Quinn "certainly have the authority to recommend" policy but may not "have authority to move forward in policy" rejected by the legislature, he said. A member of the legislature in 2003 introduced an ultimately unsuccessful bill calling for the state to favor open-source software.
An internal memo from Kriss to Quinn leaked in October revealed that the officials would be pushing open-source software, whose source code is open for public viewing and alteration. Competing proprietary software like that made by the industry leader Microsoft is mostly closed to protect the intellectual property rights of the companies.
At a Wednesday hearing on open-source software before Pacheco's committee, Quinn unveiled a nearly 200-page report drafted by an IT commission that Quinn chaired. Pacheco said he was puzzled by the fact that the report said on one page that open source is not feasible despite Quinn's insistence at the hearing that such a plan can work. Quinn's testimony focused solely on the IT commission's activities and did not specifically mention open source.
Pacheco said he prefers "competition as policy" and said the state's present procurement plan "does not prohibit open source." He requested at the hearing that Quinn report back to the committee with either a redrafted document that complies with Massachusetts' procurement law or a document that gives the administration's interpretation of the legality of the new policy.
Pacheco will follow up with Quinn's office in the next few days, he said. Quinn's office did not return calls by press time.
A Busy Time For Online Government
Several states this week launched e-government initiatives aimed at informing citizens and local government officials about existing and upcoming services.
Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control now will allow people to purchase certain annual passes and licenses via its Web site, Gov. Ruth Ann Minner announced on Wednesday. Consumers can purchase state-park annual passes and hunting or dog licenses, and business owners can renew wastewater licenses and submit asbestos-removal reports online.
On Monday, meanwhile, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack unveiled a Web site that provides constituents with performance data about Iowa's state government. The site, to be updated quarterly, will feature memorandums from the governor and Lt. Gov. Sally Peterson, progress reports and detailed performance data from each agency.
"This site will be an important tool for improving our accountability to citizens ... that will allow them to be more engaged and involved and help them better understand how decisions are made and how their government is working," Vilsack said in a release.
The Iowa Department of Management has been collecting such information for years, but only department heads and administration officials could see it before.
A day later, Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry on Tuesday unveiled a site that will provide citizens with information on emerging diseases such as chronic wasting disease, Lyme disease, rabies and West Nile Virus.
In Wisconsin last week, Gov. Jim Doyle announced the start of an online resource for local governments seeking information on affordable procurement, technical assistance and grant information. "We want to make sure local governments are aware of the discounts available and have an easy way to take advantage of those discounts," Doyle said in a release.
And the most recent session of North Dakota House was its first full session using technology that allowed lawmakers to access summaries and the status of bills on the House floor. House Majority Leader Rick Berg said having the information so readily available enabled House members to cast more informed votes. The new system, provided by Software AG, allowed members to instantly access summaries of pending legislation, Berg said.
Missouri Revamps Security Efforts, States Get Grants
Missouri Gov. Bob Holden on Friday authorized several new executive orders aimed at strengthening the state's homeland security preparedness.
The highway patrol now will take the lead on emergency radio communications, and state agencies will have to accept a common frequency channel for emergency communications. Public-private partnerships will be encouraged, and the state's chief information officer will be authorized to establish a cyber-security policy, as well as technology standards and processes.
Elsewhere on the security front, Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan on Friday announced that state secured $5.4 million in grants to "first responders" to emergencies from the U.S. Homeland Security Department. The money will be used to purchase equipment for public-safety officials.
And Georgia last week received $1.7 million in port security grants, Gov. Sonny Perdue said.
States Target Internet And Telecom Crimes
Seven Texas men on Wednesday were indicted by a grand jury for using Internet chat rooms to arrange sexual encounters with people whom they thought were young children. Those "children" were actually investigators from Attorney General Greg Abbott's cyber-crime unit.
The men, ranging in age from 24 to 38, were apprehended in central Texas in October and November, and all were charged with felony, criminal solicitation of minors. The unit also arrested Charles Guillory of Austin on Friday for trying to meet a supposed 14-year-old girl.
In other news, Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers on Monday settled a dispute with a Missouri-based online tobacco seller for selling cigarettes to a 14-year-old Oregonian. The company admitted no liability but agreed to comply with the state's new restrictions on sales and delivery of tobacco to minors that is set to go take effect Jan. 1. The law requires cigarette sellers to obtain Oregon distribution licenses and verify buyers' ages via a database. DirtCheapCig.com also will pay $15,000 as part of the deal.
And North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem on Friday issued a cease-and-desist order against Cape Canaveral Tour and Travel, which was operating as E-Tour and Travel. The company apparently approached those attending exhibit halls and craft shows and encouraged them to enroll in a non-existent vacation sweepstakes. The company then used the information to make telemarketing calls to the people. The company could face up to $2,000 per violation.
Illinois, California Police Test Gadgets
Illinois on Monday approved the use of voice-stress analysis when administering polygraph tests, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said.
The state House and Senate unanimously cleared legislation allowing the technology. Results, however, are not admissible in court, and the tests cannot be given without written consent or as part of routine traffic stops.
California authorities, meanwhile, gained the power to use portable alcohol-testing devices on drivers at scenes of suspected drunken driving, Attorney General Bill Lockyer announced on Monday. The system combines traditional, preliminary alcohol-screening technology with a previously immobile breath-testing instrument.
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