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FLUSH WITH PROMISE By James Bacon

I have a question: Why aren't Virginia's state and local governments leading the nation in adopting information technology? Northern Virginia is home to the largest cluster of info-tech companies outside the Silicon Valley. Many of these companies have ilt world-class businesses by upgrading information systems for Uncle Sam, other states and even foreign governments. Virginia is affluent. We can afford to make the necessary investments. So, why don't we? Could it be -- laziness?

Maybe we should redesign the state flag: Replace the tyrant-stomping Minerva with a recumbent rube sucking on a straw of grass. Perhaps Delegate Jay DeBoer, D-Chesterfield, would consider sponsoring such a bill. On the subject of modernizing the state legislature, he recently wisecracked in an e-mail forum: "In Virginia, 'chamber automation' still means installation of flush toilets."

Of course, not everyone will agree that the Old Dominion is lagging behind other states. What about the state's web-based tourism promotion? Or the State Corporation Commission, which makes many records accessible on-line? Or the circuit court clerks, some of whom are filing court and land records electronically? How about a host of low-profile initiatives too routine to make headlines, in which local governments are installing intranets, putting purchasing systems on-line, setting up geographic information systems and so forth?

These tales should serve as an inspiration to us all. But they only pick at the edges of what it takes to overhaul government. We need to apply information technology systematically, not episodically.

Until recently, I never had much hope that Virginia would take advantage of its unique position of hosting hundreds of info-tech companies. Then, in his inaugural speech, Gov. Jim Gilmore made an interesting remark. "Virginia," he said, "is the information-technology state." By itself, the statement sounds banal, barely worthy of note. But note that Gilmore did not use the phrase "Silicon Dominion," Gov. George Allen's epithet, to characterize Virginia. Silicon, the stuff of microchips, smacks of semiconductor plants and plays to the state's traditional strength in manufacturing. Gilmore's choice of words, "information technology," is evocative of systems integrators and telecommunications companies.

Virginia must focus on two objectives, Gilmore said. One is fostering an economic climate that attracts new technology and high-tech investment. No need to stop the presses there. But the second goal was more intriguing: Lead the nation in "maximizing information technology to save money and better serve the people." By way of specifics, the governor promised to appoint a cabinet-level technology officer and assemble a 21st Century Science and Technology Task Force to develop proposals "to make Virginia the premier state realizing the potential benefits of technology."

The governor neglected to ask me -- I'm sure it was just an oversight -- what I thought the task force should do. That's OK, I'll tell him anyway. The task force should do five things:

1. Identify Virginia companies that have developed innovative methods for re-engineering government -- from systems for tracking deadbeat dads to systems for integrating environmental, transportation and land-use data. Make a list of these info-innovators available to every branch of government.
2. Set benchmarks for state and local government processes. Praise the standard bearers in a public forum and hold them up as models.
3. Rethink government accounting and budgeting practices that discourage investment in information systems.
4. Recommend uniform standards that make it easier to provide cost-effective, cookie-cutter solutions in each jurisdiction.
5. Identify enabling legislation that would give local governments legal authority to try new approaches.

State and local government officials: Get moving! This is an opportunity to cut costs and improve service. You have a big advantage over your counterparts in other states. The leading info-tech experts in the world are right in your back yard. Hire them. Involve them. Learn everything you can from them -- even if they are Yankees who don't know how we do things here in Virginia.

Northern Virginia info-tech moguls: Listen up. Don't underestimate us. You're making a big mistake if you think of Virginia as nothing more than one of 50 states where you troll for customers. By helping your home state and local governments, you improve the business climate. Let's make Virginia a laboratory for new ideas. Let's make it a world showcase for the power of information technology.

I was only joking about the Yankees and the state flag. Jay DeBoer was only joking about the flush toilets. Believe it or not, Virginians are open to real, meaningful change. Let's pull together. When our government shines, our info-tech industry will shine, too.

James A. Bacon
Publisher & Editor in Chief