Mike Pence Kills Plans For Controversial Website
By John Dodge
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has terminated plans to create a new website that critics said would amount to a faux news service funded by taxpayers.
In a story first reported on Monday by the Indianapolis Star, planning documents revealed an administration plan to create a news service that would, among other things, provide "news" stories for use by smaller media outlets.
The concept was widely ridiculed as a clear attempt to not only bypass the independent press, but use public money to actually compete with it.
In a memo to state agency heads, Pence wrote: "As you are aware, concern has arisen regarding development of a new website for the state of Indiana."
"I am writing to inform you that I have made a decision to terminate development of the JustIN website immediately."
Pence ordered the Office of Information Technology to improve the state current public calendar site to ensure easier public access to to all press releases and public meeting notices.
