History of Hannah News Service
THE EARLY YEARS
Hannah News Service has been in front of the curve for decades as Ohio’s unmatched leader for statehouse news, information and research.
Prior to 1986, lobbyists; governmental affairs professionals at associations, corporations, state departments, and universities; and the public had no easy access to Ohio legislative documents or the ability to easily monitor or track legislative activities. There was no internet as we know it today. Many did not have computers and those who did were connecting at very slow speeds (remember those 1200 and 2400 baud modems?). Ohio legislative bills, analyses, court and agency decisions and opinions were only available in print.
Realizing there was a need for quick and easy access to government and legislative documents, the ability to easily track legislation and prepare reports for clients and management, Hannah Information Systems was created. The company began the first online legislative service in Ohio in 1986, pioneering this new support system for governmental affairs professionals and providing limited public access through Ohio’s public and university library systems.
Since there was a vacuum in the marketplace for increased news coverage of the Statehouse and state government, the company grew from a database-information service to add news coverage in 1987 when it introduced its daily newsletter, The Hannah Report. At that time, the news division of the company was formed.
In early years, the service was known then as Hannah Online and was provided through dial-up services.
EMERGENCE OF THE INTERNET
Not until the introduction of internet browsers like Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer, and services like America Online, did the use of the internet to share information change from serving the military, academic and scientific communities to serving individuals as well. With the explosive growth of the internet, Hannah Online was redesigned and renamed Ohio Capitol Connection in the early nineties.
Several years before it became common place, company leaders saw the emerging trend of opening access to government documents and developed the first internet-based software in Ohio for accessing state documents like bill text and analysis and government information on the Internet.
Using extensive value-added features, customizable services and other cutting edge technologies, the company continued to be on the forefront of technology…as well as the first to provide Internet access to government relations professionals.
As the company began acquiring documents prior to state agencies and the legislature providing internet access, its archives of state documents far exceeds those available even today on state websites.
THE NEW MILLENIUM
In late 1999, Hannah News Service entered into an agreement to add The Complete Statehouse software as an option in its collection of products. The Complete Statehouse is the leader in legislative contact management and vote analysis in Ohio.
In late 2003, Hannah News Service acquired the operation of the old Capitolwire in Ohio from Associated Press, LLC (AP) and started Ohio News Wire. This is a news tracking service that compliments the proprietary stories contained in the Hannah Report.
Capitol Connection, professional edition was completely redesigned and introduced to our clients in 2006. The software is by all standards the single most comprehensive legislative information service available in the nation.
Rotunda Insider, a free daily update, was launched in 2007 as a public service for those interested in state government and Statehouse news.
The Book of Lobbyists was added to Hannah News Service in 2008 and has steadily grown to be the most respected source for lobbyist data and information available to Ohio’s government relations communities.
THE COMPANY TODAY
Continuing a trend started in 1986, the company still stores all of its documents on the company’s computers and Hannah News Service provides online research of Ohio government legislative and legal documents ...more than any state agency site provides today.
Hannah News Service continues to employ Ohio’s most professional, respected and degreed journalists to cover the legislature and state government.
Hannah News Service serves as the technological trend-setter in Columbus. Companies throughout the country look to Hannah News Service as they try to imitate what the company has been able to accomplish since 1986.
Two leaders of the company have served as officers in NOLA, the national organization for companies like Hannah News Service. In fact, one of the leaders of Hannah News Service is a founding member of NOLA.
The company was built on customer service, comprehensive daily current information as well as its significant research service capabilities. It maintains a strong commitment to providing world-class news, information and products to its clients.
Hannah News Service. Ohio’s Unmatched Leader of Statehouse News, Information and Research since 1986.
