Senate backs $345 million for e-gov projects

The Senate last month took a step toward providing more funding for e-government projects than ever before.It authorized $345 million over four years to support interagency initiatives.The amended version of S 803, the E-Government Act of 2001 sponsored by Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) and Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.), passed by unanimous consent and was sent to the House for consideration.The bill follows the administration’s goal of allocating $100 million over three years beginning this year for e-government projects and then adds more funding later. The administration received $5 million for fiscal 2002 and asked for $45 million for 2003.The proposal also establishes a position for a Senate-confirmed administrator for a new Office of Electronic Government within the Office of Management and Budget.