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Topic downloaded from the WELL regarding access to public records. Captured 1/27/92 Topic 296: Access to Public Records - Protect It or Loose It By: Jim Warren (jwarren) on Sun, Jan 26, '92 2 responses so far The information industry is aggressively pursuing costly privitization of access to public data that was collected at great taxpayer-expense. They have a major presence in Washington and high-powered, big-bux lobbyists. 2 responses total. Topic 296: Access to Public Records - Protect It or Loose It # 1: Jim Warren (jwarren) Sun, Jan 26, '92 (18:02) 14 lines This concerns efforts to save public access to public records -- and special-interest lobbying to functionally-limit such access only to those who can and will pay premium, for-profit fees to access/use public information -- data collected and computerized at great taxpayer expense and, often, demanded by government agencies under penalty of law. This message was forwarded from Apple's library guru, Steve Cisler, and is posted in his absence with his permission. (You are free to copy and repost this, far and wide.) --More--[Press space to continue, 'q' to quit.] If we care about access to the information we've already paid for, we need to *promptly* write our federal representatives and the President, urging broad-based, *at-cost* public-access to public records -- and we need to vehemently oppose high-profit monopoly of public information. Use it or loose it. Topic 296: Access to Public Records - Protect It or Loose It # 2: Jim Warren (jwarren) Sun, Jan 26, '92 (18:03) 107 lines From sac@taurus.apple.com Fri Jan 17 14:15:18 1992 To: well!jwarren@taurus.apple.com Subject: Owens Bill v. PRA >Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1992 10:07:40 CST >Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.BITNET> >Sender: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.BITNET> >From: James P Love <LOVE@PUCC.BITNET> >Subject: Owens Bill v. PRA >To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L@UHUPVM1> >----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >The attached letter to Representative John Conyers describes the Owens --More--[Press space to continue, 'q' to quit.] >bill (HR 3459), including a comparison with the proposed reauthorization >of the Paperwork Reduction Act. > >The letter was signed by Joan Claybrook, President of Public Citizen; >Marc Rotenberg, Director of the Washington Office of Computer >Professionals for Social Responsiblity; and James Love, Director, >Taxpayer Assets Project. > January 14, 1992 >Congressman John Conyers, Jr. >U.S. House of Representatives >Washington, DC 20515 > >Dear Representative Conyers: > We are writing to express our support for H.R. 3459, the >Improvement of Information Access Act (IIA Act), introduced by >Representative Major Owens (D-NY). This bill would greatly broaden >access to public information. Specifically, the IIA Act would require >federal agencies to: >1. use depository libraries, national computer networks, and > distribution channels that improve public access to government > information; >2. disseminate information in useful modes and through appropriate --More--[Press space to continue, 'q' to quit.] > outlets, with adequate documentation, software, indexes, or other > resources that will broaden public access to government > information; >3. disseminate information products and services in standardized > record formats; >4. provide notice and comment of agency plans to discontinue > information products or services; >5. issue an annual report which describes new information products and > services, efforts of the agency to develop or implement standards > for file and record formats, software query command structures, and > other matters that make information easier to obtain and use, and >6. receive annual public comment on the types of information the > agency collects and disseminates, the methods and outlets the > agencies uses to store and disseminate information, and the prices > charged by agencies or its outlets for the information, as well as > the usefulness of the information. >7. Except where specifically authorized by statute, agencies would not > be permitted to charge more than the incremental costs of > disseminating an information product or service; or charge any > royalty or other fee for any use or redissemination of government > information. >8. The Archivist of the United States and the National Institute of --More--[Press space to continue, 'q' to quit.] > Standards and Technology would jointly develop and issue model > performance standards for access to public records. > >As you know, the Improvement of Information Access Act (IIA Act), >addresses some of the issues which were raised in the legislation you >sponsored in 1990 (H.R. 3695) that would have reauthorized the Paperwork >Reduction Act (PRA). The IIA is an attempt to build upon many of the >good features of that legislation, while avoiding some areas that have >been of concern to library and data user groups. Among the key >differences between the two bills: >1. The IIA Act would limit agency prices for information products > _and_ services, while the PRA reauthorization would limit prices > only for information products. >2. The IIA Act would require annual public notice for a wide range of > issues of concern to data users, while the PRA legislation would > only require public notice on issues that triggered privatization > concerns. >3. Compared to the PRA reauthorization, the IIA Act would broaden > agency dissemination responsibilities, by encouraging the use of > national computer networks, and standardized file formats and query > structures. >4. The IIA Act would restrict OMB's ability to promote privatization --More--[Press space to continue, 'q' to quit.] > through instruments like OMB's Circular A-130, and it would not > strengthen OMB's role in federal information policy making. This > is an important point, since OMB is hardly an agency that has > demonstrated a commitment to wider public access to government > information. > >We see the IIA Act as a thoughtful attempt to balance the legitimate >needs of end-users, libraries, and commercial data vendors. In fact, >the Information Industry Association (IIA) has already indicated to its >membership that the IIA Act is consistent with its information >principles. > >We urge you to support the IIA Act, which would provide every federal >agency with a carefully designed mandate to modernize information >dissemination programs. > >Sincerely > >Joan Claybrook Marc Rotenberg >President, Director, Washington Office >Public Citizen Computer Professionals for > Social Responsibility --More--[Press space to continue, 'q' to quit.] >James Love >Director, >Taxpayer Assets Project --------forwarded from----------- Steve Cisler, Apple Library 10381 Bandley Dr. MS8C, Cupertino, CA 95014 voice: 408 974 3258 sac@apple.com ________RESPOND PROMPT COMMANDS_______ To Respond......type: r To Pass.........type: p Show Options....type: opt Enter Command: