Idaho sends lawmakers to boot camp

Idaho's Information Technology Resource Management Council (ITRMC), which

coordinates technology policy in the state, is sponsoring its first e-government

"boot camp" conference for state lawmakers, educators, mayors, county commissioners,

tribal representatives, and other policymakers.

ITRMC manager Miles Browne said the rigorous one-day conference, which will

be held Sept. 7, is not going to be a "bits a bytes" discussion for IT professionals,

but one for policymakers on how technology can improve the lives of Idaho

residents.

"The best way for us to provide services to our citizens is electronically,"

Browne said. "And telecommunications has to be in place everywhere in the

state for it to work. If we don't we won't be able to keep up."

When the state legislature convenes again January, Browne said, legislators

would have a better ability to act on budgets that will have elements of

information technology and electronic services.

Sessions include the changing culture in e-government, preparing for e-government,

the role of telecommunications, security and privacy, and IT budgeting and

procurement. Among the featured speakers is P.K. Agarwal, vice president

and chief operating officer for the National Information Consortium and

expert on e-government applications.

Browne explained the "boot camp" would provide everyone with the same information

so they have a chance to discuss it amongst themselves and with presenters.

"Each level of understanding is different," he said. "We're trying to bring

that level of understanding to an equal plane."