Idaho Earns Top Ten State Ranking for Innovation

December 10, 2001

The State of Idaho has been recognized among the top ten states in the nation, ranked fourth behind New Jersey, Washington, and Maine for its innovation in providing citizens access to information and services through the Internet and for effective use of information technology throughout all its state agencies.

The Center for Digital Government, Sacramento, honored the nation's top state governments for their rankings in the Center's yearlong, four part 2001 Digital State Survey at a reception held Sunday kicking off the annual conference of the National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council (NECCC) in Las Vegas Dec. 9-13. The Survey is conducted with the cooperation of Government Technology magazine and the Progress & Freedom Foundation.

Idaho's top ten ranking was based upon results from Part III of the Survey in the category of Management/Administration. Idaho received 98 of a total of 100 points in the comprehensive assessment. Analysts looked at how Idaho state government agencies are adopting new digital technologies with applicability across programs and agencies.

They also evaluated the strategic development of states in investing in long- term information technology infrastructure to effectively use digital technologies to meet the needs of citizens.

The state's ranking this year shows considerable progress in the efforts made by Idaho policy makers and leaders responsible for Idaho state government's strategic IT direction. Last year, Idaho received a total of 63.6 points for 32nd placement in the same category, tied with the states of Montana, Oregon, South Dakota, and North Carolina.

Since the launch of the state's official web portal, accessidaho.org last year, many Idaho state government agencies have introduced a variety of on-line services benefiting Idaho citizens. Most recently, the Department of Administration modernized its state purchasing process for citizens and agencies after the Idaho Legislature this past session updated 25 year-old purchasing laws based upon a paper-laden process.

Other successful and nationally recognized on-line programs include: the State Board of Education's Electronic Campus linking users to more than 12 programs and over 500 courses from the state's seven publicly owned colleges and universities; the Idaho Tax Commission's e-filing capabilities; the Attorney General's "No Call" list allowing citizens to register their names to avoid telemarketers; the Secretary of State's office making business entity searches online and the purchase of certificates of existence; the Soil Conservation Service Idaho OnePlan program making it possible for Idaho farmers and government agencies to interact electronically, reducing regulatory red tape, to name a few.

Idaho's progress is also due to successful efforts of the Information Technology Resource Management Council (ITRMC), which is responsible for the strategic statewide development and implementation of information technology across all agencies. Pam Ahrens, Chairman of the ITRMC and Director of the Department of Administration, also serves as the Chief Information Officer for the state.

"More people use the Internet for day-to-day transactions. Citizens have moved well beyond going to find information; they now want to interact with that entity," Ahrens said. "They expect state government to not only provide the form online, but also make it accessible for them to complete it online and, in some cases, have a refund issued online."

Overall state rankings in all four Parts of the Survey will be announced at the first of next year.