The “Best of the Web” is an annual awards program, administered by the CDG, that aims to recognize the most innovative and user-friendly state and local government sites. Portals are judged based on their efficiency, economy and functionality, including citizen access and delivery of public services.
The other 2008 winners were Virginia, at No. 1, followed by Maine, California and Texas. RI.gov – a finalist for the award in 2006 (READ MORE) – tied for fifth place this year with Alabama.
“The Division of Information Technology is proud to have RI.gov rank among the best state government Web sites in the country,” John Landers, the state’s chief information officer, said in a statement this afternoon. “To have our state ranked with the likes of Texas and California demonstrates how serious Rhode Island is about using the Internet to improve government efficiency.”
The state site “continues to enable citizens to interact with their government through the latest technologies,” his office said. Recent enhancements – apart from “an updated look and feel” – have included the creation of an RI.gov photo group on Flickr; the syndication of state news releases through Twitter; and the adoption of new tools including Facebook and YouTube to help share news and information.
“Given the current fiscal environment, the added efficiencies and many interactive services offered by RI.gov have become increasingly important,” Landers said. “We intend to continue to build on these efforts.”
The portal is operated on a self-funded basis, receiving no financing from the state, his office noted. The money for site development and maintenance is derived from the transaction fees RI.gov charges for some online services.
To develop and manage RI.gov, the state IT Division has teamed up with Rhode Island Interactive, a Providence-based subsidiary of NIC Inc., the world’s largest provider of e-government services. Rhode Island’s first contract with NIC was signed in 2001; their current pact, signed last September, is extensible through 2012.
Also honored this year by the CDG was the Mass. Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Its EOHHS Common Intake portal – which integrates screening, intake and eligibility functions – received a 2008 Digital Government Achievement Award in the government-to-business category. It was one of this year’s 18 state, county and municipal winners, plus four honorable mentions, in the contest’s four categories: government-to-business; government-to-citizen; government-to-government; and government, internal.
“Each year, state and local governments continue to make strides towards implementing better access and more efficient Web-delivery of public services,” Cathilea Robinett, the CDG’s executive vice president, said in announcing the winners of both contests. “This year’s winners represent the very best in each category. The Center applauds all the honorees for their diligence and hard work.”
RI.gov – the official Web site of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations – is a collaboration between the R.I. Department of Administration’s Division of Information Technology and Rhode Island Interactive, the local branch of Olathe, Kan.-based e-government firm NIC Inc. To learn more about the company, visit www.NICusa.com. For information about Rhode Island, visit www.RI.gov.
The Center for Digital Government – a division of publishing, event and research company e.Republic Inc. – is a national research and advisory institute focusing on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. For more information, including the other winners of the CDG’s 2008 Best of the Web and Digital Government Achievement awards, visit www.CenterDigitalGov.com.
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Quelle/Source: Providence Business New, 28.08.2008
