The Kansas House has unanimously approved a bill that would create a system for online audio streaming from Statehouse committee meetings. Right now, audio streaming is available only from the floors of the House and Senate.
Republican Representative John Whitmer says an audio feed can help Kansans stay on top of legislative issues because much of the real work on bills happens in committees.
“If they want to have a little easier access to an important committee meeting without having to drive up to Topeka, they can just log in on the internet and listen live. For me, that’s the key,” says Whitmer
Other lawmakers have pursued the idea for several years, but funding for the service has been a roadblock. Whitmer says initial funding for this proposal would come from a private sector grant. The bill now goes to the Kansas Senate for consideration.