Only government could sink the Internet and e-mail – otherwise known as “electronic constituent outreach efforts”- into partisan bickering deep enough to require a special subcommittee.

Welcome to the real-life Maine.gov.

Republicans and Democrats inside the Legislature have been squabbling for weeks over the use of the state’s official Web site, after the Senate GOP cried foul when their news “release” that unsurprisingly stated the Democratic agenda was discouraging was removed by the Senate Democrats.

The Legislative Council Subcommittee to Administer Technology was then formed, and met Feb. 22 to discuss issues regarding the publication of partisan information on Maine.gov. It adjourned, however, with the promise to meet again in March, after its members could “review additional research.”

Controlling the breakneck pace of electronic communications has become a theme throughout this 123rd Legislature, starting with an effort to restrict the hundreds of text messages and e-mails zipping through the State House ether from lobbyists in the hallways to the lawmakers on the House or Senate floor.

Now the self-imposed gag order on communiqués from partisan sources on Maine.gov, although incredulously, it leaves Maine.gov open only to “news” disseminated from the Baldacci administration and various state departments, which can be borderline propaganda as well.

“Report shows support for School District Consolidation,” is an example, from Feb. 1. Or, the news can be airy features about the obvious (“Governor stresses importance of tourism industry,” Feb. 13) or the irrelevant (Maine’s First Family Adopts New Dog,” Dec. 4).

Yet other practical news that could impact Mainers – like pending road construction projects, turnpike closures, or education policy changes – are published away from Maine.gov on the individual Web sites of the Department of Transportation, Turnpike Authority and Department of Education.

This means there’s much room for improvement on Maine.gov for the delivery of pertinent information, far beyond the deliberations regarding the slanted opinions released by the state’s Democratic and Republican offices, or the sometimes fluffy reflections or assessments of the governor’s hectic schedule.

The solution is simple: Make Maine.gov for real news, and leave the spin for the individual Web sites of the parties and governor. The Senate GOP moved in this direction earlier this month, starting www.yourmainesenate.com after the initial flap with the Democrats.

All the Republican information – releases, biographies, and contact information – is there. The Senate Democrats have www.mainesenate.org, and the House Republicans and Democrats also maintain their own Web sites, as does Gov. Baldacci, all with similar information.

In a release announcing their new site, the Senate GOP said it recognizes the “tremendous need for transparency in state government.” The perfect way to accomplish this permanently is clearly marking the boundaries between news and spin, and reserving Maine.gov for information important to all Mainers.

There’s plenty of room elsewhere, for everything else.