Officials Unveil Oklahoma State Government Services Web Site

(OKLAHOMA CITY) - State officials unveiled a Web site on Monday that could shorten the time Oklahomans spend waiting on government services.

The site, called youroklahoma.com, combines information from every state agency into one online location. Visitors can search for an agency or by subject.

Oklahoma is the first state to create such a site, officials said.

``We're excited about it,'' said Dan Mahoney, a spokesman for Gov. Frank Keating.

``It's not yet what we want it to be - that will take some time - but it will be a very exciting way for citizens to interact with state government.''

The idea, officials said, is to make an attractive, easy way to access information while creating a more efficient government.

State Rep. Fred Perry, R-Tulsa, led an electronic commerce task force that pushed for the new Web site. He was the author of House Bill 1662, which approved the site and fees for some online records. The fees are "as low as possible," Perry said.

``It's going to lead to much more effective government,'' he said.

State Finance Director Tom Daxon said the site's effectiveness could eventually mean fewer state workers, but said the reduction would be minimal.

He said designers are still working out kinks in the site, which would eventually offer many state services online such as renewing several licenses - including those for drivers and nurses - and giving insurance companies online access to motor vehicle records.

Records such as birth certificates also may be available.

The site offers a directory of every business in the state with addresses and telephone numbers.

Before some services are offered, such as driver's license renewal, the state will have to deal with agencies and private businesses to figure out the best way to introduce them, Daxon said.

"I don't think we're going to put tag agents out of business," he said.

Kansas-based National Information Consortium will manage the site as it does for 1,000 other state and local agencies. The company signed a contract in June with Oklahoma for $1.1 million to develop the infrastructure needed to run the new Web site.

The total cost of the site, including the contract and the overhaul of computer applications at state agencies, will be about $30 million, officials said.