if ms word can do it, why not tn legislature?
Byline: bob | Category: Uncategorized | Posted at: Monday, 30 January 2006
When I use the "Track Changes" option on Microsoft Word, I can see who added, deleted or changed text in a document that I’ve sent to others for review.
Why can’t a bill making its way through the Tennessee Legislature have the same "Track Changes" feature? Unlike what Rep. Campfield has described (here and here), it might make the committee process more worthwhile–not to mention, it might assign more responsibility.
January 30th, 2006 at 10:09 pm
They don’t know about the Word feature since I’d venture a guess that 99% of the legislators don’t know how to use word, excel or any other useful software. Wonder what the avg age would be of the legislators?
January 31st, 2006 at 5:37 am
Toni, Just to clarify, my question was not a computer feasibility question. Obviously it can be done. And there are quite a few computer savvy users in the Legislature. (Though probably not as many as there should be.)
Instead, I would like to see every change tracked by the name of the Legislator so that we can assign responsibility. Currently, changes to bills are often anonymous. That should not be allowed.
January 31st, 2006 at 10:13 am
Bob,
Your proposal obviously makes too much sense to be taken seriously by the overwhelming majority of our current legislature, including far too many of our whino members. It would be particularly helpful in keeping up with Useless Jones(none of whose constituents contacted him with any concerns over the ethics of our legislature)
January 31st, 2006 at 4:20 pm
Many state legislatures do precisely what you have described.