Senate President Courtney, House Speaker Minnis Announce Wireless Plan

State Capitol to go Wi-Fi this Fall, Increasing Public Access to Legislature

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Acting on a recommendation from the Public Commission on the Oregon Legislature, Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Karen Minnis announced the State Capitol will offer free wireless Internet access to the public beginning this fall, adding the Capitol to the growing list of public wi-fi hotspots in the state. Under this new plan:

Capitol visitors will be able to send and receive e-mail from legislators and others and access legislative and other Internet websites on their own laptop computers or other wireless devices while inside the building.

People testifying in all committee hearing rooms will be able to access the Internet during their presentations, if needed. Currently, only some legislative hearing rooms are equipped for this purpose.

`By offering this service, the legislative branch of government will become even more accessible and available to the public," said Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn).

`This is a great step in making the Capitol a more productive place for both citizens and lawmakers," said Minnis (R-Wood Village).

The Public Commission on the Oregon Legislature recommended last month that the Capitol become a wireless hotspot. The 2005 legislature created the Commission to review and recommend improvements to legislative operations.

The $306,510 cost of equipment, cables and other infrastructure will be paid with money the Legislature saved within its own budget over several years.