Lawmakers Study Reform of Legislative Process

OKLAHOMA CITY – Jared Saxton, Managing Partner of BlueLid Technologies, gave Oklahoma lawmakers a lesson in technical legislative processes today.

Saxton spoke to the Oklahoma House of Representatives Government Modernization committee about the work of BlueLid Technologies on an XML-based legislative content system to replace an outdated system used by the Iowa Legislative Services Agency.

Iowa’s old content system had multiple problems, Saxton said. It was difficult to train staff on its use, to publish content, to generate tables and indexes and to implement new content projects, he said.

The XML-based LINC system created to replace it created production efficiencies and flexibility to get content out to the general public faster and in more forms. It was also more user-friendly for staff members.

State Rep. Jason Murphey, who requested the study and serves as chair of the committee, said the presentation was informative.

“Our informative technology staff have done an excellent job of supporting the work of state lawmakers,” said Murphey, R-Guthrie. “We’ve been increasingly paperless and more transparent. I think an XML-based system might be an additional tool to create greater efficiencies and greater transparency.”

Saxton said Iowa has spent about $5 million on the new system.

House Director of Information Technology T.J. Robinson said he also enjoyed the presentation.

“There are definite improvements that an XML-based system would bring to the technical side of the legislative process, but lawmakers will have to decide if the cost of these improvements are acceptable,” said Robinson.

Murphey said he will be looking deeper at the potential cost-savings created by the improvements.