A little more than a year ago, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University published a report card on the management practices of all 50 state governments. The states were graded essentially on the extent to which they conducted the people’s business in a businesslike way — efficiency, planning, modernization and adherence to sound fiscal practices.

Maine, a middle-of-the pack C, was among many states scolded for such things as lacking long-range capital plans and for not adequately funding maintenance of public buildings, but it also was praised for starting to improve. Like almost all states, Maine was chided for not yet using computer techology in ways to materially improve the public’s access to government services and information.

A year can make a lot of difference, and nowhere is that more true than in things that involve computers. While not the brightest comet streaking through cyberspace, Maine has some interesting and commendable projects under way to make the public’s dealings with government easier, faster and more convenient.

The Maxwell School report was published after the Legislature passed the InforME Public Information Act of 1998, but before this Internet gateway to government was up and running. Since then, the Department of the Secretary of State has started offering several online services, including a pilot project to renew vehicle registrations electronically, a process that now requires a fair amount of standing in line and, in communities without motor-vehicle bureaus, extra expense or standing in two lines. Driving, registration and title records are available through InforME, with security measures to protect confidential information, as are incorporation filings. Some 13 Secretary of State services will be offered electronically by this summer — you already can amuse yourself by checking on the availability of that special vanity plate through the department’s Website.

Another example of citizen-friendly technology use is www.mainejuror.com, the creation of Superior Court Chief Justice Andrew Mead. The site, which Justice Mead developed after teaching himself how to develop Web sites, provides those called to jury duty with all the information needed to make it as hassle-free as possible — maps, photographs and directions to help them get to the right courthouse on time, tips on where to park. Small things, but exactly the kinds of things that make life, and civic duty, a little less aggravating.

Other states, of course, have not been standing still on the use of technology — Iowa, for example, has developed a Web site in which a person thinking about starting a business fills out an online form describing the location, size and nature of the business; for example, a beauty shop in Ames that will have hair stylists, a manicurist, a masseuse and a lottery-ticket machine. The prospective businessperson immediately gets back of a list of every state law and local regulation that must be met, every board and commission that must approve and every permit that must be obtained. Just the elimination of the guesswork will improve any state’s business climate immeasurably.

A quick skim of a random dozen or so state-government Web sites suggests that although Maine is not a leader in e-government, it also is far from the bottom of the class. A good solid B, perhaps. With an A for effort.