Several newspaper representatives testified last week in favor of public notices in newspapers at the initial meeting of Wisconsin’s Legislative Council Study Committee on the Publication of Government Documents and Legal Notices. The committee was authorized by the legislature to study the state’s public notice laws and make recommendations for changes that “reflect technological advances.”

Beth Bennett, executive director of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association (WNA) and Andrew Johnson, publisher of the Dodge County Pionier, board member of the WNA Foundation, and board member and government relations chair of the National Newspaper Association, were among those who testified. Former PNRC President Mark Stodder is a member of the committee. Stodder is now president and COO of Xcential Legislative Technologies and a board member of the WNA Foundation. WNA’s weekly newsletter covered the hearing (PDF), which is also available to view as an online video.