Lawmakers hope Web will boost citizen input

OLYMPIA – Trying to draw more citizens into an electronic version of the statehouse – and fishing for new ideas – two legislative committees are launching online discussions next week aimed at curtailing obesity and improving college.

The three-day discussions, led by panelists, both start Monday. Anyone with a computer and Internet connection can sign up to participate. So far, more than 100 people have signed up to discuss obesity; about 75 signed up for the higher education discussion.

Online democracy “has exploded” in recent years and makes it possible for people outside Olympia to take part, said House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle.

The “Web dialogues” are part of a continued push by lawmakers to use technology to encourage public participation. Lawmakers have long bemoaned citizens’ lack of confidence in government, and a 2005 long-term plan by House members had as its top goal increasing public participation and making government understandable. Too many citizens, lawmakers said at the time, feel alienated from a process dominated by lobbyists and insiders.

For years, TVW, the nonprofit public-affairs television network, has offered video and audio recordings of many legislative hearings and floor debates for free on the Internet. Web sites like www.leg.wa.gov and www.washingtonvotes. org help people research lawmakers’ proposals and voting track records. All the state’s lawmakers have their own Web sites; a few write online blogs. And some committees have opened their hearings to allow testimony over the Internet.

The two discussions slated for next week are:

“Obesity: The House Health Care Committee is seeking ideas for reducing it, as well as the chronic diseases that often accompany obesity. To sign up for the discussion, go to www.webdialogues.net/wahousehcw/obesity.

“College: The House Higher Education Committee wants “to examine ideas on what communities, parents, colleges, universities and the state can do to educate more students to higher levels.” Among the topics: financial aid, improving access, and educational methods. The address: www.webdialogues.net/wahousehe/access.