[PLUG] RE: [lug] Minnis answers questions at City Club

[Michael Funk]

It can't be that Oregon legislature is in bed with MS, could it be??  It
wouldn't look good for the state of Oregon which is neighbors to the state
of Microsoft, to turn to other sources and suppliers of software...

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-lug at peak.org [mailto:owner-lug at peak.org]On Behalf Of David
Pool
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 2:01 PM
To: PLUG Mailing List; Eugene Lug; pdx pm
Subject: [lug] Minnis answers questions at City Club


Karen Minnis gave a speech at the Portland City Club today. The first
question
following her talk was about measure 2892. It went roughly like this:

"I appreciate your addressing themes of fiscal reponsibility and doing more
with
the money we send to Salem. My question concerns HB 2892 which would require
state agencies to consider Open Source software potentially saving tens of
millions of dollars.

In Tuesday's Oregonian you called this bill a solution searching for a
problem.
Meanwhile, Oregon's "Perfect Storm" is cutting days from our school year,
cutting people off of medical benefits and is cutting felons loose from our
jails. In the sense that this bill would save tens of millions of dollars,
it is
a solution that has found a problem.

My question is Please, for the sake of all Oregonians, will you bring this
bill
to the floor of the house for an open debate?"

Her response talked about agencies already being able to choose open source
and
how the bill had missed some kind of procedural deadline.

My follow-up question was roughly "With all due respect, I understand that
they're allowed to save us money, i'm suggesting that we should pass a law
that
makes them actively consider doing so, especially if we are looking under
every
rock to find money like you say"

Her response shifted the debate by claiming that the money savings weren't
clear
and that this had been debated in the committee.

I closed with the comment that I'd really like to see that debate take place
on
the floor of the house.

I believe this will be aired on Oregon Public Radio 91.5 FM Tuesday at Noon.

d