Senator Don Betzold, chief author of pending legislation related to the format for all state government information (SF131), will meet with access advocates on Monday, February 26, 5:00 p.m. at the offices of the Minnesota Council on Nonprofits, 2314 University Avenue West in St. Paul. The meeting is sponsored by the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information (MnCOGI), the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and the Telecommunications and Information Policy Roundtable (TIPR), SLA-MN and ASIST.
The proposed legislation, though specifically related to preservation, opens the door to a broader discussion of the state “information chain”, a chain that reaches from collection to end-user access, from open access to protection of privacy – and all the links along the way.
This is an opportunity for stakeholders to learn more about the current bill, to discuss the need for comprehensive strategic planning, and to share perspectives on information/telecommunications policy and practice.
Senator Betzold, a DFLer from the Northwest suburbs, chairs the Senate Finance Committee-State Government Budget Division. He also serves on the Judiciary and State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committees.
In 2006 Senator Betzold received the Peter S. Popovich Freedom of Information Award presented by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists. The award cited Senator Betzold’s “long and consistent work to foster open government during his legislative career in the Minnesota Senate
This meeting is free and open to the public. The office building at 2314 University is just a block East of Raymond on the South side of University. The #16 bus goes by the door; the #50 bus stops at Raymond and University. Parking is readily accessible east of the office building. Enter through the east door and watch for signs.