News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 2, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke creates Year 2000 Office to coordinate agencies' efforts

OLYMPIA - Coordinating state agencies' efforts to prepare for the next millennium will fall under the direction of the new Year 2000 Office.

Gov. Gary Locke today said the new office will focus on coordinating state government efforts to make sure systems work correctly as the century and the millennium dates change.

"State agencies are doing a great job of ensuring their computer systems will be Year 2000 compliant," Locke said. "This new office will coordinate all these efforts and make sure that citizens, businesses and local governments have all the accurate information they need so the entire state is prepared."

Located within the Office of Financial Management, the new office will coordinate the efforts of state agencies, including the departments of Information Services and General Administration, as they complete their efforts to make sure vital government services continue despite the date change. The Year 2000 office also will provide information to the news media and the public so that accurate information about the status of government and private industry preparedness is widely available.

"As we get closer to the millennium, we will need to make sure the press and the public have a place to go for accurate, credible information," Locke said. "We will coordinate with state government, local governments, financial institutions and utilities that are dealing with this important issue."

Locke asked Chris Hedrick, the governor's technology policy advisor, to oversee the new state Year 2000 Office in addition to his current duties. Judy Merchant, former director of the State Energy Office, will join the office to coordinate relations with local governments, communities and businesses. The office will begin work later this month.

» Return to this month's News Releases
» View News Release Archive

Access Washington