These are the systems that Oregon has identified as essential to the public's health, safety and financial well-being. They support programs as diverse as state payroll, law enforcement data and child immunization records. We took steps to ensure fair treatment by giving two months' advance notice to all agencies of our intent to begin real-time reporting of their progress. We also strived for consensus on color-rating criteria and the process for requesting a system condition status change. We got the results we sought.
Agencies are more responsive to our deadlines for collecting progress reports for the legislature.
Press coverage has been favorable, and the media have resisted sensationalizing the color reports. Citizens appreciate our willingness to disclose our progress clearly. The program isn't without controversy. Agencies remaining in the red aren't entirely comfortable with the public exposure. Public interest in the Year 2000 will only escalate.