Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 23, 2004
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
The Web site, www.ora.wa.gov, is a service of the Office of Regulatory Assistance (ORA), which was created out of legislation passed last year as part of the effort to make Washington even more business friendly. The legislation is a result of a recommendation from the Washington Competitiveness Council, which the governor convened in 2001 to examine Washington’s ability to compete in the global economy of the 21st century.
“This new Web site is one more way we’re cutting government red tape,” Locke said. “It will provide citizens with access to information regarding our state’s regulations, permit requirements and rules. It will make state government even more transparent to our citizens.”
ORA’s goal is to improve citizens’ and businesses’ interactions with agencies and to increase their understanding of government purposes and operations.
The Web site was developed to help businesses and citizens locate rule information, and to help discover information on environmental permitting. It provides links to cities, counties, economic development councils, business license information, agency rulemaking information, and environmental permitting.
Today’s launch is of Phase I of the Web site. Future improvements are planned, including enhanced searching abilities for rules and laws, more links and more content on permitting.
“We hope this Web site will serve as a helpful ‘front door’ to government for businesses and citizens – to answer questions and give people the information they need,” said Claire Hesselholt, director of the ORA.
ORA was created as an expansion of the existing Office of Permit Assistance. ORA’s duties include permit assistance and providing access to information regarding state regulations as rulemaking processes. The function of the office is to provide facilitation, coordination and education. ORA is part of the Office of Financial Management and is administered by the Governor’s Office.
Related Links:
- Office of Financial Management
- Office of Regulatory Assistance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 23, 2004
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Gov. Gary Locke Launches Web Site to Make State Government Even More Accessible to Businesses and Citizens
Gov. Gary Locke today announced the launch of a new Web site that will make it easier for businesses and citizens to access state government regulations, permitting requirements and rule-making procedures.The Web site, www.ora.wa.gov, is a service of the Office of Regulatory Assistance (ORA), which was created out of legislation passed last year as part of the effort to make Washington even more business friendly. The legislation is a result of a recommendation from the Washington Competitiveness Council, which the governor convened in 2001 to examine Washington’s ability to compete in the global economy of the 21st century.
“This new Web site is one more way we’re cutting government red tape,” Locke said. “It will provide citizens with access to information regarding our state’s regulations, permit requirements and rules. It will make state government even more transparent to our citizens.”
ORA’s goal is to improve citizens’ and businesses’ interactions with agencies and to increase their understanding of government purposes and operations.
The Web site was developed to help businesses and citizens locate rule information, and to help discover information on environmental permitting. It provides links to cities, counties, economic development councils, business license information, agency rulemaking information, and environmental permitting.
Today’s launch is of Phase I of the Web site. Future improvements are planned, including enhanced searching abilities for rules and laws, more links and more content on permitting.
“We hope this Web site will serve as a helpful ‘front door’ to government for businesses and citizens – to answer questions and give people the information they need,” said Claire Hesselholt, director of the ORA.
ORA was created as an expansion of the existing Office of Permit Assistance. ORA’s duties include permit assistance and providing access to information regarding state regulations as rulemaking processes. The function of the office is to provide facilitation, coordination and education. ORA is part of the Office of Financial Management and is administered by the Governor’s Office.
Related Links:
- Office of Financial Management
- Office of Regulatory Assistance
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