Summary of Texas Performance Review Recommendations

From the first report in 1991, the Texas Performance Review has spotlighted technology as a key tool in making government more efficient and effective. Various proposals in early reviews focused on the state's technology planning, telecommunication networks, and information technology (IT) management.

In late 1994, Gaining Ground recognized that the Internet and electronic commerce were important issues worthy of the state's attention. There were recommendations to expand online access to pending legislation, the Texas Register, and other essential public records, as well as a call to establish an overall vision and strategic policy for electronic commerce in state government. While some recommendations for specific initiatives became law, the Legislature declined to adopt a unified direction for state e-commerce projects.

Disturbing the Peace in 1996 recommended requiring all state agencies to publish e-mail addresses, to accept digital signatures for state transactions, and to authorize various types of online transactions. Many of the recommendations in this area were enacted in some form.

The latest TPR, Challenging the Status Quo in 1999 reflected the larger acceptance of e-commerce in the economy and society and called for better online access to information and transactions with state government, as well as setting customer service standards for state government. The 1999 Legislature agreed with a substantial portion of the report's findings and enacted its recommendations.