Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005
Governor Minner Announces First State Website Ranked Best in the Nation
Dover – Governor Ruth Ann Minner today announced that the state’s website, - Delaware.gov (www.delaware.gov) – has been named the top state web portal in the nation in the Center for Digital Government’s Tenth Annual “Best of the Web” competition .
“Using e-government and the Internet to improve government services, reduce lines, cut costs and remove bureaucratic barriers has been one of my highest priorities. This award recognizes that Delaware is leading the nation in efforts to help our citizens easily find what they want, when they want it,” said Gov. Minner. “The Best of the Web award is a tribute to the many talented state employees who work so hard to promote citizen access to electronic government services and information.”
Delaware.gov provides “one-click” access to a wide range of helpful government services and information ranging from filing taxes to checking traffic conditions to purchasing licenses. More than 100,000 different visitors come to Delaware’s web portal every month and the numbers are growing.
The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute on information technology and policy and best practices. The “Best of the Web” is an annual competition that judges government and education websites on the quality of web-based delivery of public services and information. Over 300 public sector web sites entered the contest this year. Delaware placed fourth in the 2004 competition before finishing first in the 2005 competition.
Unlike many other states which have outsourced their portal management, Delaware.gov is run through an e-government partnership between two state agencies, the Secretary of State’s office and the Department of Technology and Information. This arrangement saves money, allows Delawareans to avoid special user fees for online services, and ensures the accuracy, reliability and security of the state’s website.
“I am extremely impressed with Delaware’s website. They have sprinted to the front of the pack in online government services and have shown the nation what strong leadership can do to enable citizen and business friendly government. I applaud Gov. Ruth Ann Minner and her team for their important commitment to digital government in Delaware,” said Cathilea Robinett, Executive Director of the Center for Digital Government.
The Best of the Web competition recognizes websites that have achieved excellence in the areas of innovation, functionality, efficiency and economy. Some examples include:
Innovation
• Delaware.gov allows citizens to receive immediate e-mail notifications on school closings, environmental discharges, and many other topics.
• Delaware was the first state to implement technologies allowing citizens to download content to their iPods and receive automated notices of breaking state news.
Functionality
• The portal features a user-friendly “common look and feel” that improves navigation and ensures that state websites are compatible with software used by the blind and physically disabled.
• The state’s online calendar of events provides citizens with instant access to hundreds of public meeting notices in one location.
Efficiency and Economy
• A Regulation Comment System allows citizens and businesses to receive notices of proposed regulatory changes and to make immediate online comments on these proposals.
• Online services such as business license renewals, hunting and fishing licenses, and UCC and tax filings provide greater convenience and help to lower the cost of government services.
For more information on the Best of the Web award, contact Rhonda Wilson at the Center for Digital Government at 916-932-1321 or rwilson@centerdigitalgov.com.
For more information on Delaware.gov, contact Greg Hughes at the Delaware Government Information Center at 302-744-5072 or greg.hughes@state.de.us.
