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Earl Ray Tomblin on Technology |
In 2008, the Public-Private Partnership Act was passed and signed into law. The Act allowed the West Virginia Division of Highways to partner with a private company on the design and construction of otherwise public transportation facilities. This current structure, however, has limited usefulness.
Tonight, I'm proposing legislation to make the Act permanent and streamline the approval requirements to allow the Commissioner of Highways the flexibility to enter into these public-private partnerships. This will allow us to take greater advantage of this innovative tool for the construction of infrastructure.
Internet accessibility has become a mainstay in the democratic and legislative process because it brings a level of direct and convenient contact unmatched by any other medium. Historically we have all been taught to write our congressman or legislator, and let him or her know just how we feel about a particular bill. Now, that same message, which once required a stamp and an envelope, can be transmitted and processed in a matter of seconds. There is no question this technology is having a dramatic impact on the development of public policy.