Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 19, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, 360-725-4019 or National Policy Research Council, 202-337-3076

Gov. Gary Locke Praises State’s Top Ranking in National Publication of America’s Best Cities and States

OLYMPIA – May 19, 2004 – Gov. Gary Locke today praised the state’s top ranking in a new national publication of America’s best cities and states. The Washington, D.C.-based National Policy Research Council ranked Washington state number one in Government and number five overall in its publication, “America’s Best Cities & States: The Annual Gold Guide to Leading Rankings.”

The guide, which combines more than 150 rankings of cities and states, also ranked Washington third in Economic Dynamism – a category that analyzes the competitiveness and performance of a state’s economy – and fourth in Technology.

The Government category used more than 250 measures that considered such areas as tax burdens imposed on the state’s residents, the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs, and the degree to which governments utilize technology to deliver public services to their citizens. The criteria also included an assessment of the reliability and openness of the states’ campaign finance disclosure systems.

“It’s great news that our state has been recognized nationally, yet again, for our many innovative programs,” Locke said. “I’m especially proud of our leadership in digital government and the improvements we’ve made to better connect our citizens with their government. We have won numerous national awards for the services we provide online, and have been named ‘the most digital state government’ in the country.”

“We continue to build on our digital government success,” Locke added. “For example, this fall, Washington residents will be able to renew their driver’s licenses online.”

Several Washington cities also fared well in the guide. Seattle was ranked one of the top five cities in the country in the categories of Economic Dynamism, Technology and Health & Welfare. Bellingham, Spokane and Tacoma were featured in the rankings as well.

In addition to its own ranking system, the guide is a compendium of rankings published by leading American institutions. For more information and the complete rankings, visit www.nprcouncil.com/ggmedia/.

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