Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 4, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Ellen Langley, Department of Information Services, 360-902-3567

Washington receives Digital State Award for delivering online services

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today received the Digital State Award from The Center for Digital Government, The Progress and Freedom Foundation and Compaq Computer Corporation, sponsor of the Digital State Survey.

Gov. Gary Locke accepts the Digital State Award from Cathilea Robinett, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. Steve Kolodney, pictured next to the governor, leads the state's Information Services department. John Stewart and Rick Blake represent Compaq Computer Corporation, sponsor of the Digital State Survey.

Washington, for the third straight year, was ranked as the top state in the country for using information technology to deliver public services. Washington is the sole winner of the Digital State title to date.

"On behalf of the state of Washington, I am pleased and proud to accept this award," said Locke. "Our state agencies are working together to help people access information and services with the click of a mouse," Locke added. "We appreciate this acknowledgement of our success in making state government faster, more efficient and less expensive."

Steve Kolodney, director of the state's Department of Information Services, said, "We are transforming the relationship between Washington citizens and their government." Kolodney added, "Washington has been named the nation's digital state for three years in a row because we consistently provide citizens and businesses with the information and services they want -- when and where they want them."

"Washington is by far the digital leader in the nation," said Cathilea Robinett, executive director of The Center for Digital Government. "This state has established the benchmark of excellence for the strategic utilization of technology in running modern government."

Jeff Eisenach, Progress and Freedom Foundation president said, "Thanks to Governor Gary Locke, Steve Kolodney and everyone involved in e-government in Washington, the state continues to excel in virtually every category. Congratulations on a job well done."

Sherry Walshak, director of state and local government for Compaq Computer Corporation, congratulated Washington for retaining its title as the nation's most technically advanced state. "We're proud to recognize the state's leadership in the transition of government into the digital era."

Currently, Washington state offers more than 250 services created by dozens of different agencies -- all available through the state's web portal. Here's a sample of what citizens can get done right now via access.wa.gov:

Find daycare resources through the Department of Social and Health Services web area.

File an unemployment claim from any computer connected to the Internet. In just three months since this program's launch, more than 10,000 people have filed unemployment claims online. Since the first of October, unemployment claims via the Internet have risen to about 10 percent of Washington state's total claims.

File business tax returns using the Department of Revenue's ELF electronic tax filing system.

Purchase or renew a boat moorage permit to use in a state park.
Apply for a Department of Ecology "Start Card" well-drilling permit online.

Request Department of Labor and Industries' electrical inspections over the Internet 24 hours a day.

Search Find It! Consumer, a sophisticated online consumer protection resource created by the Washington State Library.

Locke also presented the Governor's Awards for Service and Quality Improvement to six state government teams today.

Department of Licensing
Bellevue Licensing Service Office Breakthrough
Department of Printing and Employment Security Department
Online Ordering System
Department of Ecology, Department of Corrections, and the Jail Industries Board
Community Litter Cleanup Program
Health Care Authority
Recertification and Recoupment Improvement Team
Employment Security Department
Corporate Jobs Challenge Project

Highlights of the award-winning projects are available by visiting the Governing for Results area of this Web site.

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