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New state House IT subcommittee draws a crowd

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New state House IT subcommittee draws a crowd

By Christine Sexton
New state House IT subcommittee draws a crowd
Description
The history of information technology governance in Florida, as presented to the House Information Technology Budget and Policy Subcommittee. (Screenshot via House of Representative documents)

The fast-moving digital age has befuddled Florida lawmakers, who have created and abolished a number of information technology agencies over the years and spent hundreds of millions on IT-related projects.

New state House IT subcommittee draws a crowd
Danny Perez via Florida House

But House Speaker Danny Perez has made understanding the state’s IT policies and funding a priority, creating the Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee, the only panel in the House that holds jurisdiction over both substantive policy and spending.

Rep. John Snyder, a Republican from Stuart, said Tuesday it is the first time in 75 years “if ever” that the House has created a subcommittee that answers to two full committees (it’s housed under the committees on Budget and State Affairs.)

“This reflects the recognition of the important role technology plays in the future of our state and the need for a focused strategic approach to address its challenges. This subcommittee has a unique opportunity to help shape a vision for our state’s digital future. One that is forward thinking, efficient, and secure,” Snyder said.

Large crowd

The committee is being closely watched by lobbyists and vendors, evidenced by the larger-than-usual crowd during the early morning meeting.

In opening remarks, Rep. William Robinson, a Republican from Bradenton and chair of the State Affairs Committee, noted the interest, saying, “Geeze, by looking at the number of people in the audience on your first committee meeting, you have a big task.”

Perez, a Miami Republican, noted the powerful new subcommittee in a November press release announcing the standing House committees, subcommittees, and joint committees with the Senate.

“As a Legislature, we have no clear information technology policy strategy. Our response to the repeated failure to execute IT projects has been to create, dissolve, and recreate a technology agency. Technology policy in the Legislature either happens informally through behind-the-scenes conversations or appears as language buried in budget proviso,” Perez said.

“As policymakers and stewards of taxpayer dollars, we must do a better job. This new subcommittee will bring this dialogue to the forefront and put this conversation where it should be — in the hands of the Members in a committee setting.”

Florida has a long history with failed and troublesome IT projects. Florida TaxWatch and Associated Industries of Florida, two business-related organizations, released a report in January highlighting examples, including:

  • CONNECT, the automated Reemployment Assistance Program website that crashed during the COVID 19 pandemic due to the surge of applications filed by unemployed Floridians;
  • iConnect, a billing system for providers working with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities;
  • The SunPass Centralized Customer Service System;
  • The Florida Health Care Connections (FX) Enterprise Data Warehouse, among others.

‘Compelling business case’

The panel will focus on the intersection of the state’s information technology policies and funding. Snyder said it is critical to ensure that the hundreds of millions the state of Florida invests in information technology are advancing the state’s goals and are wisely spent. Key to that, Snyder said, is “crafting an effective approach” to evaluating, prioritizing, and managing IT investments in the state.

“In our approach, I encourage us to ask in every meeting that we attend, ‘Are we prioritizing projects based on demonstrated feasibility, alignment with strategic goals, and effective cost controls that will ensure projects are viable while safeguarding taxpayers’ interests?

“I want each of us to ask, ‘Does the funding request present a compelling business case, one that includes a clear articulation of critical needs, measurable outcomes, defined timelines, and risk-mitigation strategies to help us ensure projects are set up for success from the outset?’ 

“And, lastly, ‘Are we prioritizing investments that reduce long-term operational costs, enhance efficiency, and strengthen security and compliance, including cybersecurity concerns, while focusing on investments that deliver sustainable long-term value.’ “