Governor's Office

The understandable goal of governor's office Web sites is to give the most favorable possible online presentation of the character and acomplishments of the state's chief executive. The Webs accordingly are very similar in content, particularly in their focus on the governor's background and family, speeches and activities, often accompanied by photos and occasional video and audio of the governor anf the first family.

Governor's electronic presentations often utilize themes and techniques similar to political campaign Webs, particularly through trying to portray the governor as a man or woman of the people and as the prime cheerleader for the state's quality of life. Some devices stressing the common or personal touch include photos of the governor mixing with citizens; profiles of their hobbies and leisure interests (Maine); incorporation of 'Kids Pages' with state history and coloring books for children (e.g.South Dakota Kids Page includes Governor Janklow's favorite recipe for cabbage stuffed with hamburger; see also Louisiana; Massachusetts; Nebraska; North Carolina); Web links (Connecticut Governor John Rowland's 'Personal Picks' led by a predictable connection to First Lady Patricia Rowland, but also including the University of Connecticut Athletics Page, the Connecticut Digital Library and a commercial site at about.com on flyfishing); and Utah Governor Mike Leavitt's page (perhaps cribbed from similar White House e-pet bios) devoted to 'Faux Paw', the Leavitt family's pet cat. Governors also tend to appropiate for their own Webs prominent identification with promotion of their states, such as through integrating their own sites with their state tourism and economic development electronic sites (see Florida; Maine).

Some governors also have used their Webs to encourage direct public input and outreach. Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura posts online pages soliciting public requests for appearances by the Governor at events, talks by staff members at schools and gubernatorial proclamations or letters recognizing birthdays or anniversaries. Several governors publish online directories of their staff with direct phone numbers and e-mail links (e.g. Nevada; Illinois; Kentucky; Montana Oregon Pennsylvania). A growing number of governors also are using Webs to broaden public access and knowledge of the appointments process for boards, commissions and the judiciary, with some providing online forms for citizens interested in appointments to complete and send to the governor's office for potential consideration (see Illinois; Florida; Texas).

Governors' Webs generally restrict links from their own sites to other pages within their state government Webs. A few do connect, however, to their Congressional delegations or the National Governors' Association, the Washington-based association lobbying for the governors and tracking developments affecting state-federal relations (e.g. Maine; Kentucky). While most governors don't recognize their peers in other states, the National Governors' Association does publish such useful public resources as state-by-state governors' office addresses; staff directories; links to all governors' Webs; fast facts on governors; online transcripts of state-of-state addresses; political affiliations and terms of office; and legislative updates on current issues affecting the states.

New Jersey's Governor James E. McGreevey site includes typical elements found on most state governors' Webs, such as a personal message; gubernatorial biography; press releases; speeches; and photos. Other features are biographies of the Governor's Cabinet; a profile of the First Family and link to the separate Web of Drumthwacket, the Governor's Mansion; a virtual tour of the State House; the opportunity to sign up for an e-mail newsletter of the Governor's activities; and a form to send e-mail to the Governor. In September 2002, the site developed by the NJ Department of Education and titled Governor McGreevey's Book Club, was launched with reading suggestions and other accompanying material for students at various grade levels.While the New Jersey Governor's Web is probably among the leading state governors' sites, it lacks several features provided by some other states.

Summary of recommendations:

1) link to or provide expanded adult-focused content now at kids-oriented Hangout NJ site including Governors' Responsibilities; and History of the Governorship (see South Dakota; Texas);

2) expand historical background of the office, including lists or biographies of past governors (New York; Hawaii; California; Montana; Oklahoma; Kentucky);

3) publish or link to legal sources for the governor's authority and responsibilities such as the State Constitution and statutes (published on the New Jersey Legislature site);

4) publish summaries of gubernatorial actions on passed and pending bills (Kentucky; Minnesota; New Mexico; Connecticut; Ohio; Virginia);

5) publish a 'Frequently Asked Questions' summary (Texas, South Carolina; Florida);

6) expand briefings on Administartion positions on pending issues (see Kentucky Education Pays);

7) improve gateway constituent services (compare Minnesota; Florida; Kentucky);

8) publish Spanish language content or link to online translation services (Texas);

9) publish as online staff contact list (Nevada; Illinois; Kentucky; Montana Oregon Pennsylvania) and the Governor's schedule (Kentucky; Nebraska; North Carolina; Virginia; Maryland);

10) post a searchable database of executive orders (Oklahoma).

11) expand information on the appointments process for commissions, boards and the judiciary and solicit online citizen applications for consideration for gubernatorial appointments (Illinois; Florida; Texas; Alaska; Iowa; Colorado; Kentucky; Maine; Minnesota; Missouri; North Carolina; North Dakota; Oregon; Utah; Virginia; Wyoming).

12) reconsider black background, which gives a somewhat somber appearance (compare Florida, Virginia) and makes the text more difficult to read than the standard white backgrounds of other Webs.

 

Florida Governor Jeb Bush's Web probably the best overall governors' site in content, organization and design. Particularly seeks to encourage public use of the Governor's Web as key gateway to the rest of the State bureaucracy through services like its Citizens Help Desk with Frequently Asked Questions and Services We Provide soliciting public contacts and comments. Also see Joining the Bush Team page listing current vacancies on boards, commissions and even the Governor's staff, a searchable database of judicial appointments and pending nominations for vacancies, along with online application forms for commission appointments, internships or volunteer positions. The Florida Web also is unusual for its one-stop daily calendar, publishing the schedule not only of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, but of the heads of key state agencies.

Nicely-designed home page with summary of Governor Rick Perry's duties, prominent recent news headlines linking to additional background sources and Issue Priorities with links to additional reports and background. Texas has particularly extensive information on the appointments process for judges and members of boards and commissions with online application forms in both MS Word and pdf formats. Other features include Executive Orders and Proclamations; a Spanish language version of the Web; and an interesting selection of Frequently Asked Questions (e.g. What is the governor's salary? What is the process to obtain a pardon from the governor? Can Governor Perry help me get my child support?).

Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee provides Governor's Staff Contact Info with names, titles and direct phone numbers and an unusual link to outside Media Resources. Arkansas also incorporates a pop-up link to the commercial polling site vote.com, which posts changing questions (skewed as they may be) for interactive public response with the results published online (e.g. 'Do you support the governor's efforts to increase accountability in Arkansas' public schools?') See also Louisiana's similar link to vote.com, with a recent query: 'Should we permit Mike Tyson to participate in a boxing event in Louisiana?')

California has a fine example of online history in its Historical Governor's Office and Governors Gallery, with a brief biography, official portrait, inaugural address, selected facts, and a timeline of events in California, the U.S. and the world. Governor Gray Davis, up for re-election in 2002, also provides a wide range of Issues Briefs and is one of the governors offering an online directory of all appointed positions and downloadable applications for appointments.

While the Maine site of Governor Angus King lacks content and design features of some other states, it is noteworthy for its rather successful down-to-earth approach, particularly through the home page photo of Governor King leaning back in his office chair with his hands clasped behind his head and the unusual use of first-person, plain language accounts of his online personal interests ('Most of my free time is spent with Mary and the kids -- concerts, ballgames, school events, soccer games, or just hanging out at home. We read together every night (ask me the names of Joe Hardy's girlfriend), and every summer we take a week or so away -- last year it was camping at state parks in Greenville and Washington County.')

Delaware

Delaware appears to be the only state publishing Financial Disclosures of the Governor's cabinet and staff, including benefits and gifts from nonprofit organizations and lobbyists. Delaware Governor Ruth Miner also provides a contact directory with direct phone numbers and e-mail links to the Governor's staff and online copies of her executive orders.

Connecticut Governor John Rowland's rather bare-bones site includes a time-saving bill-signing bulletin with summaries of legislation recently signed into law. Connecticut's site also unusual for its Links to Other Sites of Interest, including 'Governor Rowland's Personal Picks', led by a predictable link to First Lady Patricia Rowland, but also listing the University of Connecticut Athletics Page, the Connecticut Digital Library and the profile on flyfishing at the commercial site about.com.