Why treat members of the public, and the media, as a revenue stream for the judicial system? And in so doing, why make access to public information harder rather than easier? Isn't transparency in all branches of the government a good thing?
What part of our society is not getting more computer-driven rather than less? It makes sense for Vermont's state courts to follow the federal model and provide public computers in courthouses so that the public can easily access public records. The federal court system allows access to public files from the courts and also via the internet for minimal fees.
The types of fees under consideration at the State House today are prohibitive to citizens and most local media. Why should the public be charged for access to basic information, such as a docket number?
Don't the clerks work for the public? Hasn't the public already paid for that information? Why should the public pay extra for the public information that the public servants have cataloged?
Finally, in an era when responsible business and personal behavior calls for taking a close look at carbon emissions, gasoline usage, driving habits, etc. why would Vermont not follow federal model of creating internet access (for an annual fee, or per use fee, if need be) rather than forcing the public and the media to drive their cars to courthouses, use electricity and paper to make copies?
That's indefensible.
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