Published: May 27, 2009 09:26 pm      

State CIO needed

EDMOND — The state Legislature successfully approved this week the creation of a new central information officer to oversee the state’s computer systems. This is not creating more bureaucracy, in our opinion. Instead it should help solve several significant issues that cost our taxpayers millions of dollars annually.

One way to create efficiency in state government is to get a handle on information technology costs across the system as a whole. Rep. Jason Murphey, quoted in an Edmond Sun story earlier this month, said the state spends $340 million a year on IT needs alone. He likened the current program to shopping at 7-11 instead of coordinating purchases for more cost savings at a Sam’s Club. Buying in bulk and seeking discounts for those bulk buys just makes more sense at a time when the state has fewer dollars to spend.

According to an Associated Press story, Senate Majority Floor Leader Todd Lamb said consolidating computer systems and services has saved more than $2.3 billion in other states that have implemented the idea, including California, which will save $1.5 billion in the next five years. Oklahoma agencies faced with 5 percent to 7 percent budget cuts for the next fiscal year probably could use a few extra dollars created by IT savings.

Last week’s dust-up at the state Legislature over the new position failed to take into account several recent security failures at state agencies. Losing laptops and/or jump drives with state residents’ Social Security data seems to be a trend this year among state agencies.

Oklahomans deserve better security for their personal data from their government. The new CIO will be tasked with creating a systemwide strategy that should make our information more secure and hopefully will make state employees more accountable.

Some Democrats’ arguments against the bill include that it will consolidate tremendous power into the hands of one person. We’d like to point out that this person will be answerable to the governor, who will hire — and fire — for the position. In addition, this is no different from what happens in private industry. One person ultimately is responsible for the IT needs of most large corporations, and just like in private industry, the state’s new CIO should be held to high performance standards.

Others said the legislation is designed for special interests. Yes, legislators, we the taxpayers are a special interest and we would like you, our elected officials, to take a greater interest in saving our hard-earned money and putting it to the best use. Finding ways to fund our state’s technology needs in a less haphazard fashion, and creating policy that improves data security, are absolutely a special interest to most taxpayers.

We don’t envy the person selected for this position, but we believe in the necessity of the job. It will be tough going for awhile, but a streamlined IT approach should improve customer service to not only state taxpayers but also for state employees using the computer systems while achieving significant cost savings.