Treasurer’s e-government program sets new revenue mark
Released Jan. 5, 2005

              CHARLESTON – With the fiscal year only half over, State Treasurer John Perdue’s e-government program has already exceeded last year’s revenue total.

          Residents have transacted $22.2 million worth of electronic business with the state of West Virginia. West Virginia University students lead the way, with $8.5 million paid over the Internet for athletic ticket sales and tuition and fees.

          That $22.2 million figure exceeds fiscal year 2004’s $21.4 million total. The current fiscal year doesn’t end until June 30.

          “Once again we continue to make progress in our e-government efforts,” Perdue said. “We will continue to look for ways to offer our e-government service to other state agencies, so that they might in turn extend the same convenience to the public.”

          E-government refers to supplying a secure cyber portal by which residents may do business with the state. State colleges and universities have been leaders in embracing the new technology, with the lion’s share of total revenue coming from athletic sales and tuition.

          A student paying his tuition, for instance, first goes to the respective school’s Web site. The student does not realize it, but the actual payment is routed through special encrypted coding supplied by the Treasurer’s information technology staff. That encoding sends funds to the state treasury.

          Besides WVU, others taking a lead in e-government include Marshall University, which ran up $7.3 million in athletic sales and tuition; the state Workers’ Compensation system, which collected $2.8 million in premiums; and Fairmont State College, which electronically received $1.4 million in tuition.

          Hunters and fishermen may also purchase licenses on-line. A total of 426 hunting and fishing licenses have been sold so far this fiscal year, a number which is expected to shoot up in the coming months. Such licenses are renewed on a calendar year basis.

          In the 2004 fiscal year, for instance, hunters and fishermen bought nearly 11,500 hunting and fishing licenses on-line. Those transactions generated a little more than $450,000 in revenue.

          “Whether you’re paying for school or the right to enjoy our state’s beautiful wildlife, we invite you to do it from the convenience of your own computer,” Perdue said. “This is truly bringing government home.”