Nebraska Saving Money by Employing Efficient e-Government Practices

Nebraska Saving Money by Employing Efficient e-Government Practices

Gov. Dave Heineman announced today that 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," Gov. Heineman said. "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 in the years ahead as we continue working for the benefit of all Nebraskans."

The state has achieved new efficiencies through collaboration among state agencies. The first area of progress is the development of data sharing between the Nebraska Crime Commission, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the State Patrol.

These agencies are working together to implement a pilot program testing the feasibility and logistics required to switch to electronic citations. Using a $1.5 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant, the state is working with 11 local law enforcement agencies to test the potential of eCitations with the State Patrol's Carrier Enforcement Division. Troopers at the Interstate 80 scales in Waverly, North Platte, Hebron, Fremont and Nebraska City are already using eCitations, issuing nearly 3,000 citations during the last seven months.

State Patrol Superintendent Col. Tuma said, "If successful, eCitations could lead to shorter traffic stops, resulting in both troopers and motorists getting back on the road more quickly. They also eliminate the need for time-consuming paperwork, resulting in less time spent on data entry and providing improved access to real-time enforcement data."

The DMV has recently deployed more of its electronic driver-testing terminals, a touch-screen system 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.

DMV director Beverly Neth said, "E-testing allows the driver's license exam to be faster and more user-friendly, and also enhances the security of the test itself. Each exam is individually constructed in a random fashion from a database of more than 1,000 questions, which ensures that no two applicants take the exact the same test."

A majority of the funding for e-testing has come from the U.S. Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Countertop kiosks have been installed in Lincoln, Omaha, Beatrice, Papillion, Columbus, Schuyler, Dakota City, Fremont, McCook, North Platte, Madison, Lexington, Kearney, Grand Island, Hastings, Gering, and Alliance. Another 10 wireless systems can be accessed through specially designed laptops in Pierce, Hartington, Center, O'Neill, Neligh, Holdrege, Minden, Alma, Franklin, and Red Cloud.

The DMV is also making significant progress on the long-term goal of allowing Nebraskans the option to renew their vehicle registrations online.

The state's Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has also found significant savings utilizing technology and evaluating available resources. By closing copy centers, eliminating mail routes and consolidating contracts for office supplies, the state has reduced spending on office needs by at least 35 percent. The state has also saved at least $220,000 by networking state computers to copiers for printing instead of utilizing desktop printers in many offices.

DAS has also reduced its fleet by a total of 243 vehicles in the last year, which is more than an 18 percent reduction.

The state has identified four principles that serve as the foundation for Nebraska's technology strategy: The state's information technology (IT) policy and operational groups will work more closely together; state government must employ a uniform technology strategy; the state should strive to eliminate duplication of IT expenditures and purchase technology as a group so the state can more inexpensively and effectively deliver the services citizens expect; and lastly, technology should be taxpayer-friendly, expanding access and encouraging citizen involvement.

Already this strategy has resulted in savings of more than $450,000 by consolidating IT purchases and contracts, with more contracts under consideration for potential savings. Additionally, the state recently developed a contract for employing temporary IT personnel that has resulted in an annual savings to state agencies of $800,000.

Finally, this summer, the State of Nebraska unveiled a new, award-winning portal for state government, available at http://www.Nebraska.gov. The portal offers an intuitive, common-sense design that highlights many of Nebraska's new e-Government initiatives. New services available online include registering for professional licenses, as well as hunting and fishing license renewals, the ability to check the status of an electronically filed tax return, and an online calculator allowing users to estimate the taxes owed on a new vehicle prior to purchase.

http://gov.nol.org/news/2005_11/28_save_money.html