Plain Language in Government

Here are some reports on new developments in plain language use in government, courtesy of the members of the PLAIN listserve.

1. From Gary B. Larson: Governor Gregoire's Plain-Talk Order

Washington's governor is ordering all state agencies to adopt and follow the principles and practices of "plain talk."

2. From Mike Durant: Stem cell plain language in California

Under Proposition 71, California taxpayers will reap profits from their unprecedented, $3 billion investment in stem cell research during the next 10 years. A panel of stem cell industry leaders has endorsed a policy requiring that research that is produced must also be written up in plain Engish for the general public.

3. From Mike Durant: Veteran's Administration aims to make acquistion rules more user-friendly

The Veteran's Adminstration plans a plain language rewrite of some regulations. The majority of the changes are geared toward making the rules simpler, in keeping with a series of plain language principles adopted in 1998.