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September 6, 2011 By News Staff
Funding sought by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to an upgrade of New Jersey’s computer systems may not have been included in the state’s budget this year, but that hasn’t stopped Christie from making plans to overhaul IT in the Garden State.
The governor, who wanted $5.5 million in the state’s budget to modernize some of New Jersey’s worst computer operations, is thinking about consolidating the state’s IT operations, including giving a new chief technology office Cabinet-level status, according to a report on MyCentralJersey.com.
Currently New Jersey’s IT operations consist of various state department IT staffs working with an independent state office. But many large computer systems, including the state payroll system and MATRX, the 30-year old mainframe used by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) are woefully behind the times.
“It is truly an old jalopy,” Raymond Martinez, MVC’s chief administrator, told MyCentralJersey.com. “I hope it works every morning when we turn on the key.”
Earlier this summer, MVC computers crashed twice, frustrating legislators and citizens. While legislators rallied to hold a budget committee meeting to discuss the computer issues frustrating MVC, ultimately, Christie’s funding request was not included in New Jersey’s budget.
MyCentralJersey.com reported that the age and condition of New Jersey’s computer systems have been the butt of jokes from state officials all summer. Sen. Steven Oroho, R-Sussex, referenced the use of old Commodore 64 computers regarding when MVC’s MATRX was first used.
Although MATRX is undergoing a current $51 million upgrade that will be complete in 2012 — allowing New Jersey drivers to renew their licenses by mail and online — their usefulness will depend on other aging systems and infrastructure in the department.
“So if I have a brand new car, with a brand new engine that’s been rebuilt and it works, great, that’s not really going to help me if the road that I have to drive on is not built, if the traffic signals don’t work on that road, if there’s no gas stations, if there’s no stop signs,” Martinez told MyCentralJersey.com’s Michael Symons.
You may use or reference this story with attribution and a link to
http://www.govtech.com/e-government/New-Jersey-Governor-May-Seek-Consolidation-of-State-IT.html
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This is yet another example of an out of touch legislature obstructing the Governor’s rational plan for progress. As yesterday's editorial in the Home News Tribune urges "…now would be a good time to throw overboard those incumbents who have simply taken valuable space while the fortune of the State and its residents have declined.." We need to vote for those LD candidates who have committed to support the Governor’s reform agenda! NOTE: The writer is a recently retired New York City IT Executive who served, with distinction, for nearly 30 years, including as NYC’s IT Commissioner, before, during and after 9/11. He is also currently a candidate for election to the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders
I agree with the writer, avi duvdevani, throwing out legislature's/officials who don't do their jobs when it is painfuly obvious that Big change and Sacrifice are needed. The Federal Government, Minnesota and Wisconson have proven to us this year that those in charge are lining their pockets and merely shuffling the finance deck (borrowing money, postponing payments,ect.), which will postpone the problem for 2 more years. And make it worse. If we want to change things we (the public taxpayer) have to do something to stop this mismanagement. We can start by not buying into the scams of the last 20 years: Refinancing homes, Corporate buyouts, and welfare. StarBuck's CEO has started a campaign to withhold political contributions until there is real progress forward. Politicians have to walk the talk, do the job we send them to Washington and our Capitals to do! I recommend this for anyone else who is sick of seing the Upper 3% of the country get all the tax breaks, Foriegn Countries getting Aide, while our Citizens get Medicare cut, and Schools don't get enough money to educate our children-OUR FUTURE. Politicians get far too many benefits just by winning a Popularity contest!! We need to realize that those people will say and do things that are not possible! Then they resort to pointing fingers at each other which is a waste of time. What happened to the 7 steps in Problem Resolution? Throwing money at a problem, or Raising Taxes are not the only way to solve a Deficit! This waste along with a system that was created by our Fore Fathers over 300 years ago, is cripling our Country. The system needs to change becuase the World has changed!!