Editorial: Improving government access
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006 | 7:14 a.m.
Washington state government officials are seeing increased revenues and better public participation since they began speaking and writing to the public as they would to someone they know.
So-called "plain talk" has, over the past two years, gradually replaced the state's acronym-peppered government jargon that typical residents could hardly decipher. The word "suspension" has replaced "abeyance." The word "use" has replaced "utilize." And government no longer asks people to "cease" action. It simply tells them to "stop."
It's a type of speaking that most Americans use, but few government agencies practiced. Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire ordered all agencies to begin using plain talk 20 months ago, under the belief that people who can comprehend what is being asked of them are more likely to comply, according to a story by the Associated Press.
The Washington Department of Revenue, which started using plain talk before the governor required it, collected an extra $800,000 in revenue over a two-year period simply by rewriting more clearly one letter to businesses about a sales tax on products purchased outside of the state, AP reports.
While state and local government officials across the country and even some federal agencies have converted to using simpler language, Washington state is believed to be the first to require it statewide. But using plain language is how all government agencies should communicate.
Simple words aren't any less legal and can be very specific. Short sentences can be just as informative as long ones. They use less paper and ink to convey the same message and, most importantly, residents actually know what government is asking of them.
People who understand what their government is doing are more apt to become involved in the process and to do so early, when there is still time to have useful input. Using plain language allows people to have access to their government. It's as simple as that.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Wonder drug for men no success story
- CityCenter: One man’s concept of a real city
- Man, 18, arrested for DUI in crash that kills woman, 24
- Notebook: UNLV prospect Polee likes what he sees, and hears, at the Mack
- Man fatally shot during robbery attempt of woman
- Bellfield tolls again for UNLV in 76-71 win over Louisville
- Pitino doesn’t consider loss to UNLV a total loss
- Palin has a way of bringing out the anger in people
- The ball’s in Reid’s court: Passing the public option
- Binion’s to close all 365 rooms, lay off 100 workers
Blogs
The Kats Report
Planet Hollywood's Thomas McCartney headed for Tropicana (3 Comments)
Elsewhere
LV woman robs Kentucky strip club, police say (1 Comment)
Las Vegas Sands' Hong Kong IPO flops
The Kats Report
Monday List: Top 13 Moments and Observations From Thanksgiving Weekend (2 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Tarkanian: Reid is liberal, out of touch, rude, poisonously partisan and a know-it-all (5 Comments)
The Kats Report
Barry Manilow off to Paris: Two-year deal starts March 5 at Le Theatre des Arts (10 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Ensign survives radio interview with no follow-ups; partial transcript below (3 Comments)
Calendar »
- 1 Tue
- 2 Wed
- 3 Thu
- 4 Fri
- 5 Sat
-
Grand opening of Vdara
Vdara | 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Dik Richie at Moon
Moon Nightclub | 10:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
A Night to Honor Israel at the Cashman Theatre
Cashman Convention Center | 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Ladies night at Feelgoods
Feelgoods
-
Sin City Sinners at VooDoo Lounge
VooDoo Steak & Lounge
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati






