State IT spending to reach $9.4b by 2009

State spending will reach $9.4 billion by 2009, and local spending will reach $4.5 billion, predicts research firm IDC. "Expect substantial growth in software spending in the next five years as states consolidate enterprise systems and local governments roll out portal sites," according to Shawn P. McCarthy, program manager for government and education markets for IDC. The finding is part of IDC's U.S. State and Local Government IT Spending 2004-2009 Forecast