Governor Kaine Launches Online Community to Allow Citizens to Exchange Ideas on Improving Government Performance

Press Release

Governor Kaine Launches Online Community to Allow Citizens to Exchange Ideas on Improving Government Performance

- Also presents 2008 Governor's Technology Awards at COVITS -

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today launched an online community that allows citizens to submit ideas for improving government performance and to collaborate with others to highlight those worthy of consideration through an interactive voting feature.

"We are proud of our track record in government performance but are always looking for ways to improve," Governor Kaine said. "Through Virginia Performs, we've increased transparency on government performance, but in today's launch, we are offering a new forum to highlight the very best ideas to move Virginia forward."

The community portal at www.ideas.virginia.gov enables constituents to share their ideas, engage in discussions and play a role in improving government service. This new community will strengthen the Commonwealth's commitment to performance by:

* Inviting members to submit ideas so that others can comment and vote on them;

* Allowing members to discuss ideas with each other and collaborate;

* Encouraging members to vote on other ideas and help promote them for implementation consideration.

Governor Kaine announced the online community at the 10th annual Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium in Williamsburg. In addition, he announced the winners in Virginia's annual Governor's Technology Award program.

Awards were presented for excellence in use of information technology in eight categories, including three that represent the unique challenges of localities, higher and K-12 education. New this year, the Governor's awards program also recognizes excellence in telework programs in both the public and private sector.

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