| September 2008 | |
| OKLAHOMA'S eGOV NEWS REPORT | |
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Welcome to Oklahoma's eGovernment News Report providing you with up-to-date information on Oklahoma's eGovernment achievements.
OKCareers Proves Popular With State Applicant Population January 23, 2008, ushered in a new era for state of Oklahoma job seekers with the launching of OKCareers, the state’s web-based employment application, testing, applicant tracking and certification system. Now interested applicants can review a complete listing of vacancies in the state’s classified service and make application from their home personal computer or any other computer with an internet connection at any time. In late 2006, the Office of Personnel Management chose JobAps, one of the leading public sector employment platforms in the country, as the replacement for the legacy system that had served Merit System agencies since 1980. Although JobAps systems had been implemented for a number of county and municipal governments, Oklahoma was the first state government to contract with the Santa Barbara, California-based company. “Although there are many similarities among public sector employers at any level, I believe Oklahoma state government presented some challenges to our implementation team that delayed our “go-live” date much later than we had anticipated,” said Hank Batty, Deputy Administrator for Programs. “The implementation team, including OPM staff in Applicant Services, Personnel Assessment and Network Management Services, have done an outstanding job of adapting JobAps software to the way we must fill jobs in the classified service and in training Human Resources managers and specialists in state agencies on using the new system,” Batty added. The online processing seems to be popular with the applicant population. In the first week over 3,000 applicants filed electronic applications for more than 250 job requisitions OPM received from Merit System agencies. From January 23, 2008 to June 30, 2008, OPM received 55,336 applications—not far from the 70-80,000 received annually under the old application process—and provided 2,351 job lists to Merit System agencies. Most OPM Merit examinations are now available through OKCareers and OPM anticipates having all open examinations on-line within the next two months.
Oklahoma Tax Commission Offers Chance to Deal Now or Double the Penalty Later Oklahoma taxpayers with an outstanding tax liability will have the opportunity to clean their slate with the Oklahoma Tax Commission beginning September 15, 2008. The “Clean Slate ’08” program waives all penalties, interest and collection fees through November 14, 2008. Business and individual taxpayers will have a two-month period to participate in the Clean Slate ’08 program and clear up any back taxes for reporting periods ending prior to January 1, 2008. Taxes eligible for the program include income (both corporate and individual), sales and use, withholding, franchise, mixed beverage, gasoline and diesel, gross production and petroleum excise, and a bank in-lieu tax, which banks pay in place of an income tax. “The Clean Slate ’08 program is advantageous to both the taxpayer and our state,” said Paula Ross, Tax Commission spokesperson. “It gives the taxpayer an opportunity to clear up a past due account, saves what could be thousands of dollars in penalties and interest, and helps generate revenue for the state of Oklahoma.” During the Clean Slate ’08 period, taxpayers will receive a full waiver of penalty, interest and any other collection fees due on the eligible taxes. However, taxpayers must voluntarily file any delinquent returns and pay the taxes owed for periods ending before January 1, 2008. It should be noted that taxpayers who do not take advantage of the program will face double the original penalty in addition to any interest and/or collection fees.
First Lady Kim Henry Unveils State Video Challenge to Promote Healthy Lifestyles for Teenagers As part of an effort to promote healthy habits for young people, First Lady Kim Henry announced the launch of an innovative contest that encourages Oklahoma teenagers to tap their creativity. The MyTakeOnHealth Oklahoma Video Challenge awards middle school and high school students who produce informative and entertaining videos about healthy lifestyle choices. “Young people nationwide face a host of obstacles to good health,” Mrs. Henry said. “It’s vital that young people get the message, and promote the message, that a healthy life means a happy and productive life.” Her sentiments were echoed by state Superintendent Sandy Garrett. “We are very pleased to be working with the First Lady and lending assistance on this exciting project. Rare is the opportunity for students to engage in meaningful service learning and get the chance at earning thousands of dollars by doing so,” she said. "For us to be a stronger Oklahoma, we simply have got to be a healthier Oklahoma. There is no better voice to carry this message for us than our future, the youth of this state." The video challenge begins Oct. 1 and runs through December, with first and second place winners voted on each month. First prize is $3,500 and second prize is $1,500. The school of each month’s winning entry receives $1,000. Winners are determined through online voting. In addition, there will be weekly drawing for such items as Wiis, laptops, televisions and iPods. Best Buy is providing the prizes. A video must be between 30-60 seconds and demonstrate the importance of a healthy lifestyle or prevention of chronic disease/drug prevention. A student or group of students can submit up to two videos per month.
Web Site Creation Made Simple for State Agencies 66 state agencies and 3 cities see positive results from an online system provided by OK.gov As more processes move online, state and local entities are increasingly looking to provide their services on the Internet. However, many Oklahoma government entities are short-staffed and do not have the resources to place their services online. OK.gov, the state's official Web site, offers an online Content Management System called Go Gov! Web Management Suite. Go Gov! is an interactive and intuitive tool which helps government employees create and maintain their Web site no matter their level of technical experience. The online product is similar to using a combination of an Internet browser and a word processor. "What is great about the Content Management System is that it utilizes a common agency template, which provides a common look for all of the state's agencies," says Mark Mitchell, OK.gov general manager. "This allows the end users to always know that they are visiting an official Oklahoma government Web site." Recently launched Web sites include:
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What's Inside
Oklahoma Boll Weevil Eradication Organization - Joe Harris, Oklahoma Arts Council - Suzanne Tate,
How Do I Find Information About Voter Registration Before the October 10th Deadline? How Do I Prepare My Family For An Emergency?
Tuesday, November 11
National Fire Prevention Week Health and Safety Expo at the State Capitol "Wide-Open Wednesdays"
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About OK.gov
OK.gov built and manages the official Web site for the state of Oklahoma and partners with state agencies to bring new government services online. OK.gov is managed by the Oklahoma Office of State Finance and eGovernment firm NIC Inc. |
4234 North Santa Fe | Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405.524.3468 or Toll Free at 1.800.955.3468 |
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