Missouri Senate Strives to Stay Behind the Times; Laptop Use Defeated

By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

I’m not sure if any other legislative bodies on the State or Federal level have this sort of ban, but the Missouri Senate has, for at least the fourth time in the last seven years, rejected a proposal to allow laptops in the Senate chambers. Interesting, there’s no ban (though it’s been tried) on cell phones, PDAs, Blackberry … nor is there a ban in the Missouri House (since 1997). In the Senate, reporters and staff members are allowed to carry laptops.

The vote in the Senate Rules Committee was 5-2 against the proposal by Sen. Matt Bartle (R, Lee’s Summit). Sen. Chuck Gross (R, St. Charles) voted against the measure saying, “It would be a distraction. When you have a conversation with someone, you want to look them in the eye.” Meanwhile, Bartle said, “I don’t think laptops speed up the deliberative process. I think they enhance the deliberative process.” Bartle was able to use a laptop when he served in the House.

To address Gross’ concern, this year’s proposal prohibited the use of a laptop if the senators were “engaged in debate or discussion,” but it was still defeated.

We Say: If you let them carry cell phones, PDAs, Blackberrys … there’s still a good possibility they won’t be looking you in the eye. So let them have the best technology they can have to help them. Maybe the ban is related to laptop heat and health? Or perhaps they’re worried senators will start bring gaming laptops and start playing Doom 3, Quake 4, or (assuming there’s Wi-Fi) World of Warcraft?