December 5, 2005

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

Nebraska is working to save taxpayer dollars by using technology to improve state government efficiency, while also improving the quality of government services for employees and customers. Technology can provide a link that further unites our geographically diverse state, and we have only scratched the surface of what might one day be possible using e-Government.

The state has achieved new efficiencies through collaboration among state agencies. One area of progress is the collaboration occurring between the Nebraska State Patrol, the Department of Motor Vehicles and Crime Commission to develop a pilot program for switching to electronic citations.

A federal grant provided funding to begin testing eCitations with the State Patrol’s Carrier Enforcement Division. Troopers at Interstate 80 weight scales have issued tickets and warnings for several months, using a device similar to those used by commercial shipping companies to track packages as they are delivered and signed for by customers.

Converting to eCitations has the potential to virtually eliminate the need for time-consuming paperwork, would allow the state to track data in real-time and spend less time on data entry. Implementing an eCitation system also leads to shorter traffic stops.

Another area where the state has used technology to improve services is the touch-screen system now in use by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that tests and instantly grades individuals completing the written portions of driver testing. The e-testing initiative is in the process of being implemented statewide and includes a mechanism to decrease the impact of cheating.

E-testing allows the driver’s license exam to be faster, more user-friendly and enhances the security of the test itself. Kiosks have been installed in 17 cities, with wireless systems made available via laptop in 10 additional communities across the state.

The DMV has also made significant progress on the goal of giving Nebraskans the option to renew their vehicle registrations online, and hopes to have the system up and running in the next year.

At the heart of these developments and many others is the goal of using new technology to deliver the services Nebraskans need, making them available around the clock. Providing the resources and information residents need on their time, not ours is the idea driving many of the advances made in recent years.

One of the best sources of information is the state of Nebraska’s Web site, which was recognized recently as a leading portal for state government in the U.S. The site offers an easy to use, common-sense design and serves as the home for many e-Government initiatives.

New services on the Nebraska.gov (http://www.nebraska.gov/index.html) include the ability to register for professional licenses and renew hunting and fishing licenses online, check the status of an electronically-filed tax return, and even estimate taxes owed on a new vehicle prior to purchase using a new online calculator.

Advanced technologies are being developed every day, and it is my hope that this fast-paced environment will continue providing the encouragement needed to set the bar even higher as we continue working for the benefit of all Nebraskans. Our long term goal is to use technological advances to more effectively deliver the services citizens expect. Ultimately, we hope this system of e-Government will expand access and encourage greater citizen involvement.

Our work continues, and my hope is that as more Nebraskans learn about and use the services available online, we’ll get feedback that allows us to continue developing services that better meet the needs of the people of this great state.