European traffic to government sites increased 6%, highlighting the move of government information online in Europe. The category was led by Europa.eu with 4.4 mln visitors (up 42%), NIH with 3.9 mln visitors (up 16%), NHS.UK with 3.4 mln visitors (up 3%), and Direct.gov.uk with 2.9 mln visitors (up 23%), comScore says.
89% of business owners are voting this election
A Gallup poll sponsored by Wells Fargo found that 89% of business owners will vote this upcoming election. Among those who have owned their business for 5 or more years, the number of voters rises to 91%. 69% of small-business owners cited energy prices as extremely or very important in their voting decisions. Over 60% also cited healthcare coverage, cutting business taxes, and the general economic conditions, while just over half cited the war on terrorism and the situation in Iraq.
Fed IT budgets to drop by 50% in 2007
The top federal IT budgets will take a 50% dive in fiscal year 2007, according to Input.
Illegal immigration costs federal government $10 bln a year
Currently the cost of illegal immigration to the federal government alone is estimated at over $10 bln a year, The Information Network reports. In addition, California citizens pay $10.5 bln a year in the form of higher education costs, higher law enforcement costs, and higher health care costs. Texas citizens pay $4.7 bln, and Arizona citizens pay $1.3 bln. There are 2811 maquiladora (export assembly plants) operating in Mexico employing 1.2 mln people, of which 2065 or about 75% are located in states along the US-Mexico border.
Government IT spending by state and local governments reached $44.24 bln in 2005
State and local governments will spend $44.24 bln on IT goods and services in 2005. At a growth rate of 7.5%, this figure will rise to $54.96 bln by 2008, Gartner says.
Feds spent $123 bln on IT in 2005
Federal agencies handed out information technology contracts worth $123 bln in 2005, 20% less than in 2004, according to Input.
65% of tax returns in 2004 were filed electronically
In 2004, 78 mln tax returns were filed and processes electronically. 42 mln payments involved the traditional paper coupon and check.
20 government contracts to total $250 bln in 2006
If you take a look at the US government top 20 IT contracts, they will total $250 bln in fiscal 2006, Input says. In 2005 top 20 IT contracts provided for $250 bln.
$69.23 bln of federal contracts awarded to small businesses in 2004
The federal government awarded a record-high $69.23 bln in contracts to small businesses in 2004, according to Federal Procurement Data Center.
Federal telecom spending to reach $16 bln in 2005, $21.4 bln in 2010
According to Input, federal telecommunications spending is expected to increase from $16 bln in 2005 to almost $21.4 bln in 2010.