Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and the state's chief information officer have been recognized as two of the country's top 25 individuals who improve government through technology by Government Techonology magazine.
Government Technology named Riley and CIO Jim Burns to the list because of state initiatives that use technology to improve education, the budgeting process and homeland security. The magazine said it looked for people who cut through barriers to innovation such as tight budgets to improve government operations.
Riley was commended for being the "force driving the state to the forefront of technology leadership." He also was praised for initiating a budget reform process called SMART Governing, which makes budgets Specific, Measurable, Accountable, Responsive and Transparent. The magazine also touted his efforts to use videoconferencing and internet technology to expand distance learning (ACCESS - Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide) and Virtual Alabama, which allows state and local officials to securely share statewide geographic data using Google Earth.
Government Technology touts Burns' work on the state's award-winning Internet portal, Alabama.gov. The magazine said the state's Web site is easily navigated and user friendly. It was lauded for simplifying the licensing process.
The magazine said Riley and Burns has helped transform Alabama, "often regarded as a technologically marginal state," into one that is now "regarded as an innovator in government IT."