Government Records Search Technology

Many state statutes mandating public access to government records are flawed because they require that written requests be made to an agency official who has the de facto power to deny, delay or overprice the record requested.

Instead, all non-exempt government records should be posted online in searchable archives as soon as they are created or acquired.

We should insist on FOIA reform that provides greater transparency through application of the latest records search technology, enabling information seekers to obtain records directly, i.e. without the assistance (or obstruction) of a government gatekeeper. 

Agency officials often complain about the cost and inconvenience of responding to FOIA requests.  Well, the solution is at hand.  Of the many technology organizations that market records search mechanisms, some have free, open-source search engines to upgrade the FOIA process.

A good overview of current search technology can be found at New Idea Engineering.
 

It's long past time to update Freedom of Information laws so as to provide direct public access to government records.