Governor Patton Takes New Leadership Roles

For immediate release
8/3/98
Contact: Melissa Forsythe

Governor Patton Takes New Leadership Roles, Lauds New Federal Road Money

Milwaukee: Governor Paul Patton, whose lobbying efforts on behalf of the National Governors’ Association helped secure whopping increases in federal highway and transit funding, is taking on new leadership roles with the NGA, meeting in Wisconsin. Governor Patton will serve as one of nine members of the organization’s executive committee, starting in January. The governor also will serve as the lead Democratic governor on education technology issues and on the NGA’s Information Technology Task Force. Governor Patton said, "I welcome these opportunities to bring attention to issues that Kentucky is tackling . Education and technology changes are necessary to compete in the global economy . We’re making dramatic investments in elementary, secondary and postsecondary education and in technology." Governor Patton’s Empower Kentucky initiative, the most exhaustive retooling of state government in the country, is one reason he was selected to work on technology issues.

As co-chair of the NGA Transportation Task Force and vice-chair of the NGA’s Economic Development Committee, Patton, with other governors, pushed for two years for increased federal transportation spending. The result was the Transportation Equity Act, known as TEA 21, reauthorizing federal highway, transit and highway safety programs. Today Governor Patton offered a resolution commending Congress and the President for "restoring the integrity and reliability of the federal Highway Trust Fund by guaranteeing that all dedicated transportation taxes are invested to repair, maintain, and improve the nation’s transportation systems". Governor Patton noted that the bill means a 44% increase over the last federal highway spending bill, and Kentucky’s share will be about 55%, one of the largest increases among the states.

Kentucky’s efforts to deliver information electronically to people in their own backyards are being showcased at the NGA. Kentucky’s one of 30 states with exhibits in the NGA’s State Leadership in Technology Expo , featuring interactive, high tech displays of new approaches to distance learning, filing taxes, and providing online resources .Kentucky’s Geographic Information System (GIS) is hailed by the NGA as "a prime example of state innovation propelling states and their citizens into the 21^st century". GIS-equipped computer terminals in libraries and other public places allow people instant access to information about state services. You enter your location and the service you’re looking for , and the computer shows you a map, a picture of the building where the service is located, and information on who to contact. And there’s more. Let’s say you have a problem with an unpleasant smell in your town, and you’re not sure who’s responsible for the odor. You can enter your address and phone number, and the terminal will display a map showing all the state regulated facilities within a radius of your location. This combined effort of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet, Health Services Cabinet, and the Department of Agriculture simplifies tracking the source of the emission and makes it easier to determine who’s the holder of the relevant permit. The system also allows departments to schedule joint inspections of facilities with multiple permits. The GIS system received funding from Governor Patton’s Empower Kentucky initiative, which is focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of state government through technology.

Governor Patton told the governors, "One of the key tools to improving government service is electronic commerce. Through Empower, we’re addressing the needs of our citizens and improving services while cutting costs." NGA Executive Director Raymond C. Scheppach praised Kentucky’s initiative, saying, "Multiple agencies can share data and participate in one centralized intelligence system."

The Democratic Governors’ Association today elected Governor Patton to serve as its vice-chairman.

Tuesday the governor will discuss the draft report from the Commission on the Future of the South with the Southern Governors’ Association, also meeting in Milwaukee.

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