I've met multiple times with state legislators in Michigan about an open data bill a group of us are trying to get passed. The irony is hackers or state residents wouldn't be the biggest beneficiary's. It would be legislators and their staffs.

It is simply astounding how often bad decisions by legislators aren't a reflection of their poor judgement but simply poor data. Lobbyists can often times lie without being called out on it. If legislators or their staffs can easily look something up in the browser it would be earth shattering.

Sadly a majority of the legislators do not understand the value it would bring. It's the source of much frustration for us.