http://www.consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/article.php?story=20060405064612853
Call your representative and support this bill. It is similar to what is happening in MA only instead of the state CIO mandating a change like this and then having to back it up, our CIO would be forced to carry out this law if it becomes a law.
If you want reasons why open standards are important for information storage, and document creation you will have to pick my brain personally (or maybe if you are lucky you can comment and later today I’ll respond) because right now I’m too tired to launch into my whole speech about why open standards are a good way of promoting social justice.