HOME  E-DEMOCRACY 98  E-DEBATE WEB MN-FORUM

Jesse Ventura      Response 1

Question 1: What must the governor do, if anything, to head off or prepare for a possible computer systems distruption as a result of the Year 2000 compter bug?

The Y2K problem is a challenge for all of us in the private 
sector and public sector alike. Addressing the problem is more 
a matter of commitment than one of technology. It's already 
known what must be done to fix the problem. What's important 
is getting people to focus on Y2K as a high priority.

Y2K is the kind of problem that is made to order for a 
Governor to help solve. The resolution of the problem can be 
greatly accelerated by strong executive leadership. The 
Governor has the power to directly influence the priorities and 
actions of most state agencies. As Minnesota's top executive, 
the Governor can provide exemplary leadership to make sure 
the Y2K problem gets the attention it deserves.

By setting the Y2K leadership example in the state agencies, 
the Governor is better equipped to help focus private sector 
leadership attention on the problem as well. I'm no computer 
expert but as Governor, I don't have to be.

My primary job regarding Y2K is to make sure the computer 
experts in our state agencies are receiving the support they 
need to successfully address the Y2K challenge.

At the federal level, some government agencies are in good 
shape regarding Y2K, while others have people very worried. 
The Y2K performance difference among federal agencies is 
less of a technology difference and more of a leadership 
difference.

As I see it, exercising good executive leadership is exactly 
what the Governor gets paid to do. I had little trouble doing it as 
Mayor of Brooklyn Park, where I helped (and I emphasize 
helped, I didn't do it alone) produce an enviable track record 
of city accomplishments. I am well equipped to provide the 
same kind of leadership as your Governor.