A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan to Consolidate Information Technology Functions

Report #196, March 2009
A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan to Consolidate Information Technology Functions

Full Report

Executive Summary

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2009

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Commission Endorses Information Technology Consolidation

The Little Hoover Commission on Thursday recommended the Legislature allow the Governor’s Reorganization Plan to consolidate information technology functions under the Office of the State Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to go into effect.

The reorganization proposal expands the authority of the OCIO to include:

  • Infrastructure, by moving the Department of Technology Services into the OCIO.
     
  • Information security, by moving the information security functions of the Office of Information Security and Privacy Protection into the OCIO.
     
  • Procurement, by clarifying the roles of the OCIO and the Department of General Services.
     
  • Telecommunications, by moving the public-safety telecommunications unit of the Department of General Services into the OCIO.
     

By statute, the reorganization process calls for the governor to propose a plan, for the Little Hoover Commission to review and make an advisory recommendation regarding the plan and for the Legislature to either allow the reorganization to go into effect or to reject it by a majority vote in either house. Barring a resolution opposing the IT consolidation, the plan would take effect May 10.

The Commission developed its recommendation on testimony given at its February 25, 2009, public hearing and from past Commission studies that examined the governance of information technology. The Commission long has called for equipping the state chief information officer with the tools and resources necessary to enhance accountability for IT projects and improve government performance using technology.

“The reorganization plan is an evolutionary but not revolutionary step toward managing the state’s technology resources more efficiently. The plan adds coherency and accountability to the state’s technology decisions and investments,” Little Hoover Commission Chairman Daniel Hancock said.
The Little Hoover Commission is a bipartisan and independent state agency charged with recommending ways to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of state programs. To obtain a copy of the Commission’s report on the Governor’s Reorganization Plan, contact the Commission or visit its Web site: www.lhc.ca.gov.

Fact Sheet

Study Description

The Commission reviewed the Governor's reorganization plan to consolidate information technology functions. The plan proposed to consolidate state information technology functions under the Office of the State Chief Information Officer.

State law establishes that all Governors' reorganization plans must be submitted to the Commission for review at least 30 days prior to submitting it to the Legislature for its consideration. Following its review and one or more public hearings on the proposal, the Commission offers a recommendation on whether the Legislature should allow the plan to go into effect.

Agenda

Overview

Proposed by: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Objective: Consolidate state information technology functions under the Office of the State Chief Information Officer.

Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.

Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Print 
			Agenda
  • February 25
    2009
    Governor's Reorganization Plan 2009
    1:00 p.m., State Capitol, Room 447, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on the Governor's Reorganization Plan to Consolidate Statewide Information Technology Functions
    under the Office of the State Chief Information Officer 
    Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. 
    State Capitol, Room 447 
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks 

    Administration Presentation of the GRP 

    1. Teresa "Teri" Takai, Chief Information Officer, State of California (Written Testimony)
       

    Outside Perspectives - Lessons from Utah

    1. J. Stephen Fletcher, State Chief Information Officer, State of Utah, and Executive Director, Utah Department of Technology Services (Written Testimony)
       

    Affected Departments and Agencies

    1. P.K. Agarwal, Director, Department of Technology Services (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Mark Weatherford, Executive Officer, Office of Information Security and Privacy Protection (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Scott Harvey, Chief Deputy Director, Department of General Services (Written Testimony)
       
    4. Gregory Hurner, Deputy Secretary for Legislation, State and Consumer Services Agency (Written Testimony)


    Project Management

    1. Joe Munso, Undersecretary, Health and Human Services Agency (Written Testimony)

    Impact on State Workers

    1. Margarita Maldonado, Bargaining Chair, Unit 1, Service Employees International Union Local 1000 (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 11, 2009

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting 

    On Wednesday, February 25, 2009, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the Governor’s Reorganization Plan. The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. in Room 447 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    At this hearing, the Commission will review the Governor’s Reorganization Plan to consolidate statewide information technology functions under the Office of the State Chief Information Officer. This hearing will address only information technology; other reorganization proposals are not on the agenda.

    The Commission will hear testimony from the current state CIO, the director of the Department of Technology Services and the director of the Office of Information Security and Privacy Protection. The director of the Department of General Services and the deputy secretary for legislation of the State and Consumer Services Agency also have been invited to testify. In addition, the undersecretary of the Health and Human Services Agency has been invited to discuss the agency’s nationally recognized project management office and a representative from the Service Employees International Union Local 1000 will discuss the plan’s impact on technology workers. Finally, the chief information officer for the State of Utah will share his state’s experience with consolidating IT resources and centralizing its IT governance structure. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. If necessary, the Commission will hold an additional public comment period immediately following the conclusion of its February 26th public hearing and business meeting, located in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento. The Commission also encourages written comments.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, February 18, 2009.

Print 
		Agenda
  • February 25
    2009
    Governor's Reorganization Plan 2009
    1:00 p.m., State Capitol, Room 447, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on the Governor's Reorganization Plan to Consolidate Statewide Information Technology Functions
    under the Office of the State Chief Information Officer 
    Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. 
    State Capitol, Room 447 
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks 

    Administration Presentation of the GRP 

    1. Teresa "Teri" Takai, Chief Information Officer, State of California (Written Testimony)
       

    Outside Perspectives - Lessons from Utah

    1. J. Stephen Fletcher, State Chief Information Officer, State of Utah, and Executive Director, Utah Department of Technology Services (Written Testimony)
       

    Affected Departments and Agencies

    1. P.K. Agarwal, Director, Department of Technology Services (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Mark Weatherford, Executive Officer, Office of Information Security and Privacy Protection (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Scott Harvey, Chief Deputy Director, Department of General Services (Written Testimony)
       
    4. Gregory Hurner, Deputy Secretary for Legislation, State and Consumer Services Agency (Written Testimony)


    Project Management

    1. Joe Munso, Undersecretary, Health and Human Services Agency (Written Testimony)

    Impact on State Workers

    1. Margarita Maldonado, Bargaining Chair, Unit 1, Service Employees International Union Local 1000 (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 11, 2009

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting 

    On Wednesday, February 25, 2009, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on the Governor’s Reorganization Plan. The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. in Room 447 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    At this hearing, the Commission will review the Governor’s Reorganization Plan to consolidate statewide information technology functions under the Office of the State Chief Information Officer. This hearing will address only information technology; other reorganization proposals are not on the agenda.

    The Commission will hear testimony from the current state CIO, the director of the Department of Technology Services and the director of the Office of Information Security and Privacy Protection. The director of the Department of General Services and the deputy secretary for legislation of the State and Consumer Services Agency also have been invited to testify. In addition, the undersecretary of the Health and Human Services Agency has been invited to discuss the agency’s nationally recognized project management office and a representative from the Service Employees International Union Local 1000 will discuss the plan’s impact on technology workers. Finally, the chief information officer for the State of Utah will share his state’s experience with consolidating IT resources and centralizing its IT governance structure. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

    There will be an opportunity for public comment at the end of the hearing. If necessary, the Commission will hold an additional public comment period immediately following the conclusion of its February 26th public hearing and business meeting, located in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento. The Commission also encourages written comments.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Wednesday, February 18, 2009.