News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 10, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Nancy Jackson, Department of Information Services, 360-902-3553

Washington honored for serving citizens through technology

OLYMPIA ― The state of Washington has been honored again for better serving its citizens through technology, according to Gov. Gary Locke. A three-time winner of the overall national Digital State Award, Washington scored a perfect 100 in the social services category of the 2002 Digital State Survey.

The top ranking by the Center for Digital Government, Government Technology magazine and the Progress and Freedom Foundation reflects citizens’ opportunities to access vital social services online. This year’s survey focused on the ability to determine eligibility and apply for social services through the Internet.

“Placing first in social services means that we are using technology to make a positive and measurable difference in people’s lives,” Locke said. “I’m proud of our state’s role as a national leader in providing the digital government services that citizens deserve and the convenience they have come to expect.”

Washington has consistently made the top ranks of state winners in the social services category, scoring 100 in three consecutive surveys – 1999/2000, 2001 and 2002. Several state agencies contributed to the perfect score, providing a wide range of social services – from direct job posting for employers to a secure and convenient way to make child support payments over the Internet.

Locke credited the social services honor to the hard work and commitment of employees at the state departments of Social and Health Services, Employment Security, Information Services, Labor and Industries, the Health Care Authority and the Washington State Library.

“Government must respond to the needs of all its citizens,” the governor said. “Offering information and services conveniently over the Internet, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, improves our responsiveness as well as our cost-effectiveness.”

The Center for Digital Government, Government Technology magazine and the Progress and Freedom Foundation sponsor the annual Digital State survey and will announce the overall winner in December. The Digital State Award is based on each state’s total survey score across eight categories – social services, law enforcement and the courts, digital democracy, electronic commerce and business regulation, management and administration, taxation and revenue, education, geographic information systems and transportation.
Related Links:
- Center for Digital Government
- Progress and Freedom Foundation
- Employment Security Department
- Department of Labor and Industries
- Department of Retirement Systems
- Department of Services for the Blind
- Washington State Library
- Government Technology magazine
- Department of Social and Health Services
- Department of Information Services
- Department of Personnel
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Health Care Authority


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