Virginia moves up in Digital States Survey

          Virginia has moved up in a biennial survey highlighting top technology states. The Commonwealth received an A- in e.Republic’s 2014 Digital States Survey, up from a B- two years ago.

          e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government assigned each state a grade based on quantifiable results in better serving citizens and streamlining operations. Criteria included actions supporting state priorities and policies to improve operations or services, hard- and soft-dollar savings/benefits and innovative solutions.

          Since the last survey in 2012, grades improved in 21 states, declined in 12 and stayed the same in 17.  In 2014, Virginia earned an A- along with Connecticut, Georgia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Michigan, Missouri and Utah received A grades. 

          The survey highlighted Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s creation of Cyber Virginia and the Cyber Security Commission and its new open data portal which promotes “transparent, data-driven decision-making.”

          The Center for Digital Government is a government research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. It is a division of e.Republic, a Folsom, Calif.-based media and research company focused on state and local government and education.