State agencies meet deadline to establish Web sites

All state agencies have complied with Gov. Kenny Guinn's directive to establish Web sites by the end of April.

But some Web sites - such as ones for the Ethics Commission and Department of Prisons - offer little more than a few names and telephone numbers.

Nonetheless, the most important aspect of Guinn's order has been met. To create a more user-friendly state government, the governor demanded that all state agencies place forms needed by citizens on the Internet so they can be downloaded and copied.

These forms can be found on the Silver Source Forms Clearinghouse at http://silversource.state.nv.us.

''Access to government information, anytime, anywhere is important for the public and business in today's global economy and wired world,'' Guinn told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

''Silver Source makes information available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is an important in implementing our E-Government initiative.''

In addition to the forms, the Silver State Forms Clearinghouse also includes a state telephone registry.

Department of Information Technology Director Marlene Lockard and her staff assisted the more than 200 state agencies and commissions in setting up Web sites.

She acknowledged some only have cursory information now, but they have been encouraged to put more material before the public.

''The content is directed by the agency,'' she said. ''There are some great sites.''

State Treasurer Brian Krolicki has one of the more attractive sites. It includes information about the Millennium Scholarship program that allows some high school graduates to receive a $10,000 state scholarship.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa's Web site features a lot of information, including her legal opinions.

The Supreme Court Web site offers the latest decisions, sometimes moments after they are issued.

Prisons Director Bob Bayer plans to expand his department's Web site to include many photographs and information of interest for families of inmates.

Kenneth Rohrs, executive director of the Ethics Commission, called his agency's Web site a ''work in progress.''

He intends to add Ethics Commission opinions. If funds are available and the Legislature agrees, he may add financial disclosure statements of thousands of officeholders and public officials.

Guinn was pleased by the agencies' ability to meet his directive in a 90-day period.

''Clearly this achievement demonstrates the state's ability to successfully implement new technologies,'' he said.

The state Web site may be reached at the address: http://www/state.nv.us. From the main state Web page are alphabetical links to all state agencies and boards and commissions.