By Chuck Malloy

One of the biggest challenges I’m facing is convincing people in the Idaho Legislature to develop websites for themselves. Some lawmakers simply don’t see a need for them – especially those who were elected by landslide proportions.

Here’s what some are saying: “Why do I need a website? I received 62 percent of the vote in the last election, so I guess my communication is good enough. Besides, people in my district don’t look at websites anyway.”

Well, that might have been the case 15 or 20 years ago, when a relatively small percentage of people had computers in their homes. But today, it’s much different. Home computers are as common as color television sets. More and more people these days are getting their information from the Internet, which is why newspapers are in such a sharp decline.

To put it bluntly, not having a website in 2008 is like not having a telephone back in 1968. Legislators who do not have websites are missing out on a vital communication tool – one that could keep them winning landslide elections for a long time. Incumbents usually lose because of the perception of lack of communication with the people they represent. A website that is maintained with up-to-date information takes away any criticism about an incumbent being “out of touch” with constituents.

As I mentioned in my last article, the days are gone when legislators should depend on newspapers or other media outlets to carry their message. With the budget crunch that is hitting almost all newspapers – from the New York Times to the Idaho Statesman – there are fewer reporters covering news at the Statehouse and there are only so many places they can be. Some newspapers that have sent reporters to the Legislature in years past are keeping the reporters at home to hold down costs.

As an old political reporter, I’m disturbed by this “new wave” of journalism and I know there are many legislators who feel the same way. But change does not have to be negative. People just have to find new ways to get their information out.

Websites open up a whole new world. Legislators can do more than tell about themselves and their views on the issues. They can develop and blog and keep an up-to-the-minute diary on important issues before the Legislature. They can put floor debates on their websites, or even put themselves on You Tube for the whole world to see. More importantly, legislators who have websites can develop a dialog with their constituents – providing an outlet for constituents to express their views on issues.

These are positive changes. Websites give legislators a chance to provide the kind of detailed information that would not have been possible 15 or 20 years ago. Legislators who effectively market and maintain their websites have everything to gain politically, but the biggest winners will be the people they represent.