getuptodate.gov

President Clinton has an e-mail address. So do mayors of cities big and small and most lawmakers. But Gov. Gray Davis, who vigorously promotes California as the heartland of information technology, has no e-mail address. What gives?

“He wants one,” said Michael Bustamante, the governor’s press secretary, but a variety of technical problems have kept Davis’ office from establishing e-mail capability.

Davis aides say they’re working on a system that will assure that constituents get fast responses to their e-mail messages, a system that is secure and cannot be overwhelmed by demand. These problems did not keep Davis’ predecessor, Gov. Pete Wilson, from receiving e-mail, although his responses went out through regular mail--which some e-mail users derisively call “snail mail.” The responses were prompt, though, insists former Wilson aide Sean Walsh.

Davis does have an official gubernatorial Web site, at www.ca.gov./s/governor, that features profiles of Davis and his wife, Sharon, his major program statements, speeches, application forms for jobs and so on. It is updated primarily with press releases. A section on contacting the governor advises people to write him at the state Capitol, Sacramento 95814 or to call (916) 445-2841 or to send faxes to (916) 445-4633. An e-mail link is conspicuously absent.

With all of Davis’ friends and supporters in the technology business you would think that he could find the expertise needed to solve his e-mail problem. The Information Age is calling, governor.