Gov. Minner seeks to centralize Delaware’s e-government initiatives
-- Minner recommends committee to set standards for state agency web design
through competitive grant process --
Wilmington – Governor Ruth Ann Minner signed Executive Order No. 9 today, creating a permanent E-Government Steering Committee to coordinate the state’s Internet presence by creating a uniform set of standards for state agency web sites.
In addition, Governor Minner ordered that state agencies seek funding for Internet purposes through this centralized body, rather than the current system of providing individual allocations to state agencies. If the General Assembly agrees to this change, a competitive grant process will be created where state agencies will submit proposals to the steering committee for the use of Internet funds.
The state will be unveiling a new, sophisticated design for the State of Delaware homepage this spring, which will provide visitors with efficient, intuitive pathways to the services or information that they seek on the State's web site. In concert with the launching of this state of the art site, the Steering Committee will be developing and implementing a series of policy and technical standards that will help state agencies design their sites in a more user friendly, consistent manner. Over time, this effort will help ensure that the State of Delaware's entire web site is efficiently organized, easy to navigate and use, and a consistently useful source of information and service for Delaware citizens.
“The Minner-Carney Administration is the first administration to exist in its entirety during the Internet era, providing us with a unique opportunity to provide unparalleled services to Delawareans” Governor Minner said today. “This opportunity warrants a permanent organizational committee, tasked with stimulating innovation and creativity among our state agencies, and helping to bridge the digital divide by creating greater access to the Internet for all Delawareans.”
"Over the last year, our state government has introduced a number of exciting ‘e-government’ applications, delivering state services more conveniently," State Treasurer Jack Markell said. "Governor Minner has laid the foundation for continued improvement in state government through this Executive Order. I look forward to working with her and the General Assembly to obtain the funding necessary to make her vision a reality. I also look forward to working with citizens, businesses and other users as we create web-based services responsive to their needs."
Governor Minner’s E-Government Task Force includes: Secretary of State Harriet Smith Windsor; Secretary of Finance David Singleton; State Budget Director Pete Ross; Acting Executive Director of the Office of Information Services Richard Iovino; State Treasurer Jack Markell; a representative of the Office of the Governor; a representative of the Delaware judiciary; a representative of the Delaware House of Representatives and the Senate, and other such persons as the governor may deem appropriate.
