The state's e-government services program provides an electronic system, such as a credit card or electronic funds transfer, for goods and services offered by state agencies, colleges, universities, boards and commissions.
State Treasurer John Perdue told Senate finance committee members Wednesday his office received $186 million in electronic payments last year. Although that represents an increase of roughly 37 percent from the previous year, Perdue had hoped for 50 percent growth.
"We're seeing just the tip of the iceberg so to speak," Perdue said.
Currently, only a slightly more than 2 percent of payments coming into the treasurer's office are processed electronically. The treasurer's office started the e-government program four years ago.
Perdue said his staff is trying to do more outreach to encourage agencies and entities to get on board because of the potential cost-savings for the state.
"We want to get out of the paper business," he said.
Perdue said the cost of making an electronic transfer is likely more than 100 times less expensive than cutting a paper check.
Sen. Brooks McCabe, D-Kanawha, also expressed concerns that more organizations aren't taking advantage of the program.
"We ought to be in the billion dollar range," McCabe said. "As far as efficient government, these are clear savings."
McCabe suggested drafting legislation that would mandate state agencies, cities and counties to start utilizing e-government by a specific date.
The treasurer said he would fully support, and appreciate, the initiative because he often meets resistance from officials who are unwilling to change.
"If you've done the same job for 20 years, sometimes you don't want to be told to do it differently," Perdue said.
West Virginia University is currently the state treasurer's biggest client when it comes to online payments. Last year, WVU processed $70 million in tuition payments electronically.
Perdue said most other colleges and universities in the state also are accepting electronic payments. He expects all of them to be online by next year.
The state Division of Natural Resources is another big contributor to e-government. The DNR processed more than 69,000 hunting and fishing licenses electronically in 2009, he said.
The treasurer's office also is getting ready to implement a pilot program that will help sheriff's departments around the state collect property taxes online.
While Perdue is anxious for e-government to grow in West Virginia, he says the mountain state is currently a leader in the initiative when compared with the many parts of the country, based on what he learns each year at the National Treasurer's Convention.
"Believe it or not, we're probably in the top 25 percent of states," he said. "We're setting an example."
However, the treasurer intends to keep pushing the e-government program hard in 2010.
"I believe that's how you get people into the 21st century," he said.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Sara Gavin
Quelle/Source: Charleston Daily Mail, 21.01.2010
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