By proclamation (mine), this week is designated e-gov week. There’s no particular reason; I just thought it was time for the recognition.
Actually, the honors and impetus for this event go to Daniel Pulliam of goveexec.com. He’s compiled a pentalogy (my word -- don’t bother running to your Funk & Wagnall’s) of articles about the federal government’s mixed success in these endeavors during the past five years.
His five essays place an interesting focus on what demonstrably is the next significant – and obvious – challenge for the Executive Branch at all levels.
Government needs to exploit the tools of the Information Age and be poised to leverage predictable technological advances in the years to come.
As the Industrial Age produced Henry Ford and the assembly line, the government needs to implement effective e-gov initiatives to succeed in our present Age.
How I define e-gov probably differs from the experts in the field, as I look at it more from the citizen’s perspective. E-gov is a service where taxpayers can obtain needed assistance to comply with government requirements accurately, quickly, cheaply, and at their convenience, not the government’s.
One prime example is “Free File,” which is near and dear to me as a former IRS employee who worked in the Office of Electronic Tax Administration. This offering allows taxpayers to file their income taxes electronically. Further, the customer may choose from a variety of commercial software packages, start and stop return preparation at will, and pay absolutely nothing to boot! Nothing, that is, unless income taxes are owed after completing the return. How good a deal is that? Since the program’s inception in 2003, nearly 16 million taxpayers have availed themselves of this option.
Several other e-gov initiatives are lauded – or lashed – in Daniel Pulliam’s series. The articles are worth the read, and they are listed below for your easy access, reading pleasure, and e-gov edification.
2. E-Gov at Five Years, Part Four: Mixed Results
3. E-Gov at Five Years, Part Three: Funding Wars
4. E-Gov at Five Years, Part Two: Waiting for Success
5. E-Gov at Five Years, Part One: A Pivotal Point
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Fred W. Apelquist, III, M.Ed.
Approximately 360 words.
© September, 2006