Saturday, June 16, 2007
Microsoft Muscles the NYS Legislature
Software giant moves to weaken NY Election law
The 800 pound gorilla of software development has moved forcefully into New York State, supported by voting machine vendors using Microsoft Windows in their touch screen voting machines and other systems. Over the last two months Microsoft and a cadre of high paid lobbyists have been working a full-court press in Albany in an attempt to bring about a serious weakening of New York State election law. This back door effort by private corporations to weaken public protections is about to bear fruit.
On Thursday, June 14, I recieved a copy of proposed changes to New York State Election Law drafted by Microsoft attorneys that has been circulating among the Legislature. These changes would gut the source code escrow and review provisions provided in our current law, which were fought for and won by election integrity activists around the state and adopted by the Legislature in June 2005.
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MS's campaign contributions to the GOP turned out a pretty good deal when it came time for the DOJ to enforce the antitrust settlement.
What does MS plan to get out of making Diebold-friendly election law?
You are welcome to guess.