Senate Journal: Page 49: Tuesday, January 14, 1997

  2nd Day TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1997 49
  Just imagine what an asset it will be when every Iowan has access to the
  courses
  and training that are today only available on college campuses. ACCESS
  Education will be a passport to knowledge and pathway to the future for
  Iowans rural
  and urban alike.
  Just as technology is widening educational possibilities for Iowans, it is
  transforming the face of business, government, and homes all across America.
  When I became governor, state government was run with typewriters, carbon
  paper,
  and stacks and stacks offile folders. Today, we use video-conferencing,
  e-mail, and a homepage on the Internet.

  This year, I believe we must embark on a mission to ensure that every Iowa
  community has access to high-speed, low-cost Internetservice. Currently,
  about 30 percent of our communities lack adequate access to the Internet and
  quite frankly,
  universal accessis a necessity if Iowa is to be a global competitor in years
  to come.
  State government must become more technology driven. The author of our
  Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, said, "Information is the
  currency of democracy." In the 21st Century, Iowans need and deserve a
  government that is
  easily accessible from their home or business.
  The goal that I have set forth is for state government to have the
  capability by the
  year 2000 to complete any electronic transaction from remote locations
  throughout the state. That means Iowans will not have to travel to conduct
  business with the
  state. Transactions will be easier and quicker for citizens and state
  employees alike. Using technology more effectively will make government more
  efficient and save
  millions of tax dollars.
  To achieve our technology goals, I am recommending the creation of a
  Department
  of Technology and adequate technology infrastructure funding to re-engineer
  state government to make information and services more accessible to all
  Iowans.

  The marvels and wonders of technology are undeniably changing the world. At
  no
  time in our history has it been so critical for us to be on the cutting
  edge. Let us bring the State of Iowa fully into the Information Age and
  enable future generations of
  our people to better themselves, their communities, and our system of
  government by harnessing information -- Jefferson's currency of democracy.

  As we look at how we deliver services, we must ensure taxpayers that state
  government is just as efficient as private business.  Where appropriate,
  areas of state government should be competitively bid. State employees will
  be provided
  assistance in bidding for the work along with private sector contractors.
  State employees will be empowered to rethink the way we do things, working
  to
  improve efficiencies. In our first experiment -- the Department of
  Transportation's highway paint striping -- the state employees won the bid
  and will save the state over
  $300,000a year. That is a tribute to state employees' ingenuity as well as
  the power of the free market.

  In Iowa, we are constitutionally required to balance our budget every year.
  If we are
  to return our nation to a position of fiscal integrity, a balanced budget
  amendment to the United States Constitution should be passed this year. This
  Legislature should
  %

Iowa General Assembly

Index: Senate Journal (77th General Assembly: Session 1)

© 1997 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

Comments? sjourn@legis.iowa.gov.

Last update: Wed Jan 22 13:01:06 CST 1997
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