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. Only stories about utility, military and banking readiness ranked higher in importance. Stick to the facts.