May 18, 2009

Markell Unveils Videoconferencing Legislation

WILMINGTON – Governmental bodies in Delaware will be able to use technology to increase public participation under legislation Gov. Jack Markell announced Monday.
 
Senate Bill 104, sponsored by Sen. David Sokola and Rep. Darryl Scott, allows certain governmental bodies such as boards and commissions, to set up videoconferencing locations. Members of the boards and commissions could participate in the meetings via teleconference. The locations would also be open to the public. Delawareans living Downstate who are interested in particular issues will not have to drive to Wilmington to participate in a meeting, or vice versa.
 
“SB 104 is a good government bill,” Markell said. “This legislation will make it easier for members of boards and commissions to attend meetings and for the public to view the meetings without having to drive a long distance. Expanding the use of teleconferencing will help our environment by taking cars off the road, save taxpayer money and make government more transparent.”
 
The legislation would add to videoconferencing efforts already underway in state government. Lt. Gov. Matt Denn last week used videoconferencing to talk to students at Smyrna High School about the Markell-Denn administration’s education reform plan, and has previously utilized the technology for his Back to School Briefings and Stimulus Suggestion Box public meetings.
 
To illustrate how the bill would be implemented, Rep. Scott participated in the announcement in Wilmington via a teleconferencing location in the Tatnall Building in Dover.
 
“In my private-sector job, I participate daily in conference calls,” said Rep. Scott, who is director of account management for Milford-based company Sitel. “The private sector has fully embraced the value of teleconferencing and videoconferencing, using it to drive collaboration, reduce cost and improve productivity. I’m excited to see the state of Delaware embrace this technology to accomplish similar goals. It’s green, it’s cost-effective and it also will enable non-elected board members and citizens throughout Delaware to participate in government without having to travel the length of the state.”
 
State Representative Greg Lavelle, who attended today's press event, is hopeful that the video-conferencing technology will generate more public participation in various public boards and commissions.  He stated, “Hopefully, someone who may not typically be able to commit the time to participate as a member may now be more easily persuaded to volunteer their time. Cutting out hours of travel time, alone, may make the difference in getting a member of the public to serve on a board, for example.”