DELAWARE.GOV AGAIN NAMED "BEST OF THE WEB"
|
Press Release September 26, 2007 |
Contact: Greg Hughes (GIC) - (302) 739-4111 |
Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced today that the state's web portal, Delaware.gov, has been named among the top five state web portals in the nation in the Center for Digital Government's 11th Annual "Best of the Web" competition.
This is the fourth time that Delaware.gov has competed in this well-respected national competition, each time having placed among the top ten. Delaware.gov was ranked fourth in the 2007 competition, behind Utah, Maine and Virginia, each of which has previously won the top ranking, as Delaware did in 2005.
"Delaware has made its mark as an example of e-government accessibility," Gov. Minner said. "It is chiefly through consistent teamwork and a common goal that we continue to receive accolades in the area of e-government."
Earlier this summer, Gov. Minner announced that Delaware's state government websites had been named #1 in overall e-government services in another annual survey conducted by Brown University.
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. It recognizes websites that have achieved excellence in the use of cutting edge technology, ease of navigation, intuitiveness of citizen interaction, and cost savings.
Cathilea Robinett, Executive Director of the Center noted that "the competition was fierce and there were many applications and portals that were top notch" in this year's state and local portal surveys.
Unlike many other states which have outsourced their portal management, Delaware.gov is run through an e-government partnership between two state agencies, the Government Information Center (GIC) and the Department of Technology and Information (DTI). 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.
One of the top priorities of the Minner-Carney administration has been the utilization of e-government to improve service, reduce lines, and remove bureaucratic barriers. "Honors such as this from the Center for Digital Government confirm what many Delawareans already know about the success of the Governor's efforts in this area," said Secretary of State Harriet Smith Windsor. "Under her leadership, GIC and the DTI have continued to ensure ongoing improvement in e-government content and accessibility."
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 300,000 different visitors come to Delaware's web portal every month, and the numbers are growing.
For the full results of the competition, visit http://www.centerdigitalgov.com/surveys.php?survey=cdg_bow.
