Contact: G. Paul Nardo
January 22, 2009 (804) 698-1228 or gpnardo@house.virginia.gov
williamjhowell.org
-- Internet Presence Offers Latest Information on Republican Caucus Initiatives
-- Online Survey, Social Networking Application, Audio/Video Files Among Features
The Republican Caucus in the Virginia House of Delegates today released a new website to showcase the majority caucus and further its use of new media. The Official Website of the House of Delegates Republican Caucus (http://www.vagopcaucus.com) features functions to make it easy for Virginians and other interested visitors to use. The site allows visitors to engage in and be more informed about the past accomplishments of House Republicans as well as their positive, forward looking agenda for the future.
“Republicans in the House of Delegates continue working to expand the use of new media to maximize communications with the people we serve,” said Delegate Samuel A. “Sam” Nixon, Jr., Chair of the House Majority Caucus. “The new communications tools and policy features make it easier for visitors to stay informed in real time about key actions taking place by elected leaders.”
Among its many features, the new site includes a blog that will be used to post information about the progress being made in Richmond by members of the House Republican Caucus. The site also incorporates social networking tools such as Twitter and Facebook. In addition, visitors to www.vagopcaucus.com can sign up for the Majority Caucus’s e-Newsletter, which will be used to distribute news releases and other information to subscribers. The site also will feature video and audio clips to enable visitors to get an even better look at their delegates in action.
“I welcome and encourage visitors to check out our Caucus’s dynamic new website,” said Speaker Howell. “This revamped online presence offers a convenient opportunity for people to have greater access and understanding about the conduct of the people’s business. My goal is to provide better access to the House of Delegates through a wide variety of means. This new website improves our ability to meet this goal.”
Today’s unveiling of the official website of the House Republican Caucus is the latest in a series of activities by House Republicans as they work to make greater use of technology to offer practical solutions that improve government operations, effectiveness and transparency. At the start of the 2009 session, Speaker Howell announced his decision to make live streaming video broadcasts of daily floor proceedings of the House of Delegates floor sessions available. Late last year, Howell also authorized the recording of subcommittee votes and their posting on the Internet, a first in the history of the Virginia General Assembly.
