OHIO THIRD IN NATION FOR DIGITAL GOVERNMENT
Survey recognizes Ohio for streamlined operations and services to citizens

COLUMBUS (October 3, 2006) - Ohio Governor Bob Taft today announced that the Center for Digital Government has ranked Ohio the third most digitally-advanced state government in the nation. The Digital States Survey examines best practices, policies and progress made by state governments in their use of digital technologies to better serve their citizens and streamline operations.

"My administration has worked hard to better utilize the digital communication technologies available and move customers from in-line to online," Taft said. "Today thousands of businesses are completing permit requests and filing their taxes online and more than a half a million Ohioans are using the state's online car registration service. I'm proud of all our accomplishments in making state government more user-friendly."

In 2004, Governor Taft created the position of State Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Office of Information Technology (OIT), to centralizing Ohio's technology initiatives.

"In Ohio, technology is a key component to state governments' interaction with and service delivery to our citizens and businesses," said Mary Carroll, Chief Information Officer of the state of Ohio. "This ranking is a reflection of the collaboration between OIT and the other state agencies who together are moving Ohio in the right direction."

This is the highest ranking the state of Ohio has received, finishing 12th in 2002. A similar survey by the Center in 2000 ranked Ohio 30th.

Digital States is the nation's original and only sustaining survey of state governments' use of technology in serving citizens ranking states on more than 70 measurements in four broad areas-service delivery, architecture and infrastructure, collaboration, and leadership. The Digital States Survey is conducted biennially in even-numbered years, providing a longer horizon in assessing state progress.

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Contact: Patrick Harris, Ohio Office of Information Technology, 614-644-8608 or Mark Rickel, Governor's Office, at 614-644-0957.