News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 7, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Washington ranks first in social services for 2000 Digital State survey

OLYMPIA — The state of Washington, twice and only winner of the Digital State title, continues its solid progress in the 2000 Digital State survey. Washington scored a perfect 100 in social services, taking the top state ranking in that category. Georgia took the number one-slot in the law enforcement and courts category, where Washington tied for eighth. In January, Washington ranked second in taxation/revenue and third in electronic commerce - its best results in those categories in the three years of the 50-state survey.

"Washington orchestrates a groundbreaking relationship between citizens and government… a dot.gov relationship with the citizen in charge," Gov. Gary Locke said. "And all the while, we're making government more efficient, less expensive and greener."

The Digital State survey, divided into eight categories, evaluates state governments' use of information technology to deliver services to citizens.

The credit for the state's 100 points in social services is largely due to the innovations of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). "We're pleased and delighted by this recognition," said DSHS Deputy Secretary Charles Reed. "It reflects our successful statewide implementation of electronic benefit transfer systems and child support collection technology to improve client services."

Washington's ranking in the first two phases of this year's survey reflects the growing opportunities for citizens and businesses to conduct online transactions with state agencies.

Rankings in the remaining four categories will be compiled and reported over the rest of the year, with the 2000 Digital State title going to the state with the best overall score. Digital democracy and management-administration results will be announced in July. Higher education and elementary/secondary education results will be announced in October.

"These phase-two survey results confirm Washington's progress toward the delivery of digital government. We look forward to continuing our strong performance in the remaining four categories," said Steve Kolodney, Washington State Department of Information Services director.

The Center for Digital Government, Government Technology magazine and the Progress and Freedom Foundation are sponsors of the Digital State survey.

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