There's no place like homepage.

• Author: Gleason, Nancy
• Position: Electronic Communication and Networks

More and more cities, counties, and states are providing government information and services on-line via "homepages" on the World Wide Web (the Web). A homepage usually serves as an introduction to the jurisdiction or agency, presenting an overview of the information accessible through hypertext links. By using the mouse to click on a hypertext link, the user is transferred automatically to the server containing the data of interest. Such a system allows various government agencies to be linked together in one place and enables users to transfer easily from one department to another without having to leave their computer. This article gives readers without Internet access an idea of how some governments are reaching out to their citizens electronically.

Bond Rating Updates in Oklahoma

Operated by the office of state finance, the Oklahoma state government homepage starts with a section on current events. Its topics include state budget and revenue information; arts, tourism, and recreation; transportation and public safety; science and technology; regulatory agencies, particularly the Oklahoma Securities Commission; and statistical information about the state. The budget and revenue section enables users to peruse the state's comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) and access other offices and agencies.

Office of State Finance. By clicking on the OSF link, users can read the monthly revenue media release, which announces the preliminary general revenue fund collections for the prior month with a brief commentary by the director of state finance, as well as other publications. Two schedules of data are accessible on the OSF homepage: one representing annual receipts from all sources of revenue, including federal receipts, and one representing annual expenditures, including all appropriated and federal expenditures and direct apportionments of state taxes.

One of the more unusual offerings on the OSF homepage is the state's bond rating presentation to the New York rating agencies, providing a comprehensive annual update on economic and fiscal conditions in the state. The rating agency briefing document features sections on outstanding debt and debt management practices, financial management and controls, financial results, and economic performance. The OSF also provides a FAQ file - answers to Frequently Asked Questions - including data on state tax rates and expenditures compared with other U.S. states.

State Treasurer's Office. Referred to as the "Open Window: An On-line Look at the State Treasury," the STO homepage is...