Let's let Proposed Bill 2456, introduced 2 weeks ago, in Hawaii do the talking:

"It is anticipated that the state will spend over $1 million annually by 2013 to publish its notices in newspapers.During these times of economic downturn and decreased tax revenues, it is imperative that the state and teh counties look for ways to trim their costs. the purpose of this act is to allow state and county agencies to electronically publish their notices on line ...

... Whenever a public notice is published as described in subsection (a) proof of publication shall be the affidavit of the ... designated representative of the agency whose notice is published electronically or on line."

Hawaii's story is most interesting. As we reported in July of last year, after a monopoly emerged in the Daily Newspaper space, the remaining newspaper the Honolulu Star Advertiser raised their public notice rates by a ridiculously high 27%. Even by the standards of blantant self interest exhibited by newspapers editorializing to line their own pockets, The Star Advertiser gets our nomination as the biggest pigs.

It appears that greed isn't always good in the eyes of the public. Proposed by Representative Calvin K. Y Say, Bill 2456 would  reduce that very profitable $1 million per year public subsidy and perhaps teach the Star Advertiser and other monopoly newspapers not to be so greedy.