So, how can the RTC enhance government? Many communities within the United States have initiated their use of advanced technologies by first increasing access to local government. InterNet is being used to allow local citizens to leave electronic messages for their city council people, state and federal legislators. City and county governments are surveying their populations through computer questionnaires prior to providing new services or changing existing services.
But only a few communities are fully using the technologies found in the RTC. The imaging warehouse can be used by local citizens to quickly access government documents, property descriptions and historical material, while also allowing government agencies to enhance the security of this information through a routine process of digitizing and storing the information on computer based mediums. Interactive teleconferencing can be used to allow local community groups to have face-to-face contact with their state and national representatives even though these individuals are miles away. Through this enhanced access to information and to the political process, many rural individuals and communities are beginning to expand their influence over many political decisions.
Benefits