"We're expanding in a more rapid pace than I think some thought transparency might come upon them," Niederhauser said. "In the end, people will be supportive of it, because how do you argue against transparency?"

Linda Petersen, president of the Utah Foundation for Open Government and freedom of information chairwoman of the Utah Headliners Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, said she applauds Niederhauser's efforts to make information available to the public.

"We believe transparency in government serves those who are governed," she said.

The Web site wouldn't benefit just journalists, who regularly request government documents, but the Utah residents who also make records requests.

Accessing electronic data via a Web site will save work and money on the government's end, Petersen said, because government employees won't have to spend time compiling documents.

"It will save the government money, time, energy and, of course, paper," Petersen said.

---

E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com