A federal IT debate

Federal Computer Week submitted questions to the campaign staffs of Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush asking for the candidates' views on federal information technology issues and policies and their visions for electronic government. Click on the questions to read their responses.

QUESTION 1. Would you appoint a federal IT czar?

QUESTION 2. The federal government spends $38 billion on information technology every year, including nearly $2 billion for security. President Clinton is proposing a 15 percent increase in information technology security for 2001. Would you propose more, less or no change in overall spending?

QUESTION 3. How would you close the digital divide? In government? In society? Between the United States and other NATO-member nations?

QUESTION 4. Should more government IT jobs be outsourced?

QUESTION 5. What do you plan to do about the shortage of trained IT workers? Would you propose raising IT workers' pay to help recruit and retain them?

QUESTION 6. What is your vision for electronic government?