I wonder if citizens are prepared to embrace change and view it as an opportunity. In Tom Bonnett s book, Is the New Global Economy Leaving State-Local Tax Structures Behind, he notes the traditional reliance on property, sales and income taxes. Combined with declining federal support to state and local government, changes in sales-tax collections that will likely result from the recently passed Internet Tax Freedom Act, plus the growth of electronic business without physical presence in the business community, the forces appear to be gathering. Ahead of us are revenue and service challenges at the state and local level that will require fundamental policy and program shifts. Despite that, I have confidence in community leaders who have always risen to the challenge.
Cities continue to be centers of vital activity where people live and work and play.
Leo F. Verheul Leo Verheul is CIO of California's Department of Motor Vehicles. Verheul comes to the post with experience at Porsche and Bank of America in senior management. Number one is Y2K, no question. Number two is our legacy systems. Our systems are almost 25 years old.