Maine's Official Web Sites Singled Out for eGovernment Excellence
Maine.gov and the Maine Secretary of State portal recognized as "Best of the
Web" by the Center for Digital Government
AUGUSTA, Maine-- Two of Maine's official Web sites have been singled out in
the 2003 Best of the Web national competition for eGovernment excellence.
The state's official portal (www.Maine.gov) was ranked second among a field
of more than 260 public sector Web sites, and the online government services
offered by Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky (www.Maine.gov/sos) were also
recognized in the constitutional officer category.
The 2003 Best of the Web competition was conducted by the Center for
Digital Government, an international research and advisory institute on the
use of information technology in government. Now in its eighth year, Best of
the Web evaluates government Web sites based on their innovation, Web-
based delivery of public services, efficiency, economy, and functionality.
Maine has built one of the nation's most robust official Web portals through
its innovative use of Internet technology. For the last four years, Maine's Web
site has been ranked among the top four state eGovernment portals in the
annual Best of the Web competition. The oversight InforME board provides
direction and prioritization of Maine's portal directives.
"Maine continues to find new ways to use the Internet to help our citizens and
businesses save time, and our commitment to excellence is again reflected in
this year's Best of the Web rankings," said Governor John E. Baldacci. "The
services offered by Maine.gov and the Secretary of State continue to raise the
bar for all states, and I'm very proud of Maine's accomplishments."
Launched in August 1999, Maine's eGovernment portal receives
approximately 4.5 million page hits per month and processed more than
eight million online transactions last year. Maine.gov features more than 300
interactive services that help constituents interact more efficiently with
government, including Governor Baldacci's budget balancing tool, vehicle
registration renewals, vanity plate availability checks, annual report filings,
and fishing licenses. New England Interactive, an Augusta-based subsidiary of
eGovernment firm NIC (Nasdaq:EGOV - News), manages the online services
for both Maine.gov and the Secretary of State's Web site.
"Government portals are truly becoming the citizen gateway to services as
sites become more robust and easier to navigate," said Cathilea Robinett,
Executive Director of the Center for Digital Government. "Maine's consistent
presence at the top of the Best of the Web rankings reflects the state's true
commitment to serving its citizens and businesses."
The online services offered by Maine's Secretary of State were also recognized
for excellence among state constitutional officer eGovernment applications.
Among the online solutions offered by the Secretary of State are a suite of
Uniform Commercial Code services, interactive corporate services, and vehicle
tag renewal applications.
"We use the Internet to get faster results for citizens and businesses," said
Secretary of State Dan A. Gwadosky. "While it's an honor to have our efforts
recognized in Best of the Web, the real winners are the Maine businesses and
citizens who take advantage of these timesaving eGovernment services."
"It's an honor to be a part of a winning team," said Carrie Gott, general
manager of Maine.gov. "We salute Governor Baldacci, Secretary Gwadosky,
and everyone in Maine state government for their commitment to using
technology to enhance constituent services."
Representatives from the Center for Digital Government, Government
Technology magazine, State Technology, Inc., and state and local government
officials from Virginia and Tampa, Florida, were on the judging panel for the
2003 Best of the Web contest.
About New England Interactive
Augusta-based New England Interactive built, operates, and maintains
Maine's official Web portal (www.Maine.gov). New England Interactive also
operates official Web sites for Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
