Twitter is a vital tool for more than just casual and business-related communication. Residents rely on official state accounts in times of emergency, or during big local news stories. Tourists might use an account to find information before visiting.
Most states are aware of this importance. Every Senator is on Twitter, and so are nearly all members of the House of Representatives.
It might seem like a no-brainer, then, to consider your state's Twitter handle. Yet out of the 50 states, only four have acquired their actual name as a verified account. Others have less obvious verified accounts, like @AlabamaEMA or TravelWI.
Why haven't state officials taken advantage of their own usernames? Mostly because of travel spam and unofficial news curators, which explains why many of these accounts have been suspended.
The current "state of the union" on Twitter is looking pretty grim. Come on, states, get it together. This is America -- USA! USA!
Alaska Air Awards $88 Million in 2012 Bonuses. bit.ly/VaQSbz— Alaska News (@Alaska) February 27, 2013
I think I'll be turning this thing on next week for SXSW, if anyone cares.— Jack Pate (@arkansas) February 27, 2013
All of our California peeps ready for the 49'ers game? Give us some predictions!— California (@california) January 20, 2013
With all of our great dining and beverages, you may need to get in a workout. Snowshoeing is a great way to do that!— Visit Colorado (@Colorado) February 27, 2013
Hoboken, NJ: 40% Off Every 2nd Night, Luxury W Hotel - $242 - bit.ly/JEjW4h— Connecticut (@connecticut) May 15, 2012
Official account: @CTvisit
New York City: The Franklin Hotel - $179 - bit.ly/VrpyGO— Delaware (@Delaware) October 23, 2012
Official account: @delaware_gov
Myrtle Beach: Anderson Ocean Club and Spa - $67 - bit.ly/RW2oS5— Georgia (@georgia) October 24, 2012
Official account: GeorgiaGov
@wngm Can you skip the eating altogether if you are, yourself, nuts?— Ryan Ozawa (@hawaii) February 27, 2013
Integrating Online with Bricks— idaho (@idaho) June 16, 2007
New York City: Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th Street - $119 - bit.ly/OT0oNt— Maine (@maine) October 23, 2012
@loujie_a ؟— montana (@montana) December 6, 2012
Photos: CeeLo Green's Las Vegas arrival is a first-ever Strip spectacle. bit.ly/VaNr4z— Nevada News (@Nevada) February 27, 2013
New Hampshire deals, deals, deals - lift tickets, lodging and more! ow.ly/f0SgM— New Hampshire (@newhampshire) November 5, 2012
New York City: Park South Hotel - $179 - bit.ly/RisTCq— New Jersey (@newjersey) October 23, 2012
Ain't nuthin happenin' but the rent.— New York (@NewYork) January 13, 2013
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is presenting Les Miserables tonight at 5:00 p.m! Tickets starting at $20. ow.ly/hN4H3 #NC— North Carolina (@northcarolina) February 17, 2013
North Dakota's robust #tourism industry continues growth in 2012. ow.ly/i71qx @ustravel @usatodaytravel @timestravel #travel— North Dakota Tourism (@NorthDakota) February 27, 2013
Chinese brush painting focus of next Art Smart Sunday - Ledger Independent: Chinese brush painting focus ... by.vg/QtPM8 #Art— Ohio (@Ohio) February 27, 2013
(P.S. Ohio's Twitter bio links to this very official website.)
Reno: Staybridge Suites Reno - $80 - bit.ly/TasvUz— Oregon (@oregon) October 24, 2012
New York City: The MAve NYC - $179 - bit.ly/VqZuf4— Pennsylvania (@pennsylvania) October 23, 2012
New York City: Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th Street - $119 - bit.ly/OSRYFF— Rhode Island (@rhodeisland) October 23, 2012
Springmaid Beach Resort 44% Off - $69, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina bit.ly/R7Fbf5— South Carolina (@southcarolina) October 26, 2012
The great outdoors is waiting in South Dakota - how will you experience it? ow.ly/hKW4P— South Dakota Tourism (@southdakota) February 27, 2013
Damn...— Mark (@Tennessee) October 2, 2010
You know your shoe game is on point when you walk into a Nike store and get mobbed by employees checking out your kicks— Mathew Walker (@Texas) February 23, 2013
@adventurevida wth dude, have you been looking at my bank account again?— Utah (@Utah) October 8, 2012
Matt is killing it on Vine RT @yelldesign: #magic Banana Dolphins #loop #vine #stopmotion vine.co/v/bgFpvDVglBZ— Virginia Murdoch (@virginia) February 26, 2013
Official account: @VisitVirginia
Reno: Residence Inn By Marriott Reno - $109 - bit.ly/XddSp9— Washington (@washington) October 24, 2012
