State worker briefs - April 21

The Olympian | • Published April 21, 2008

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Revenue wins award for its Web site

The Federation of Tax Administrators announced last week that the Department of Revenue won its 2008 Award for Outstanding Technology Applications in State Tax Administration.

The award recognizes the department's user-centered Web applications developed through research and usability testing with businesses that regularly use the site.

Judges were impressed by Washington's extensive customer involvement in development and design, saying the program was innovative and an excellent demonstration of how effective usability studies are in software development, according to the department.

The judges noted customers have reacted positively to the redesigned site, commenting on "the ease of use and friendly navigation, ability to easily E-file, and the online videos ... Revenue's Web site is an example for others to follow."

The Federation of Tax Administrators is a nonprofit organization composed of the tax and revenue departments of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, New York City and Puerto Rico.

Governor's program gets nod from Harvard

Gov. Chris Gregoire's Government Management Accountability and Performance, has been selected as a Top 50 program by Harvard's Kennedy School.

The Top 50 programs, announced last week by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School, were selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 applicants representing the best in government innovation from local, tribal, state and federal levels. The 50 programs are in contention for a $100,000 grant to transfer innovative ideas around the world. Award finalists will be announced June 3. Winners will be announced in September.

Created by Gregoire in 2005, GMAP is a management tool that relies on performance measures, requiring agencies to complete key tasks within established timelines, or to standards that can be tracked.

UTC hires new director of pipeline safety

The state has hired a new director of pipeline safety to oversee safety programs and inspections of petroleum and natural-gas pipelines.

Anne Soiza will join the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission this week. The agency regulates the safety practices of 28 pipeline companies and more than 21,000 miles of underground pipelines. Soiza will supervise safety inspectors, engineers, policy specialists and analysts that create detailed maps of state pipeline routes.

Soiza, 47 of Tumwater was the statewide compliance manager in the Division of Occupational Safety and Health at the Department of Labor and Industries.