Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)

Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)

March 16, 2002

INSTITUTE RANKS KENTUCKY 11TH FOR ONLINE COMMERCE
IMPLEMENTATION OF E-COMMERCE, 'E-GOVERNMENT' STUDIED

Author: Associated Press

Edition: Final
Section: BUSINESS
Page: C1
Dateline: LOUISVILLE

Estimated printed pages: 1

Article Text:

LOUISVILLE -- Kentucky ranks 11th among the states for online commerce, according to a new study that assesses whether states tax consumers for buying goods online and how easily they can interact with state governments.

Indiana finished third among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in the study, which was produced by the Progressive Policy Institute, a non-profit research organization in Washington, D.C.

"Both of those scores are very, very good, particularly Indiana," said Rob Atkinson, co-author of The Best States for E-Commerce and vice president and director of the institute's Technology and New Economy Project.

The study looked at whether consumers could buy wine, cars, insurance, contact lenses and other goods and services over the Internet. It also assessed states' accomplishments in "e-government," making it easier for citizens to interact with government and obtain government services online, and it looked for any taxes on Internet access.

Oregon emerged as the state most friendly to Internet commerce. The least friendly state was South Carolina. Kentucky failed to crack the top 10 because it prohibits sales of automobiles and wine over the Internet, Atkinson said.

Progressive Policy Institute: www.ppionline.org

Memo:
TECH NEWS; ON THE NET