IE 11 Not Supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Virginia Considers Information Technology Reform

The governor's proposal includes IT consolidation and enhanced oversight of technology services.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Gov. Mark Warner proposed a legislative agenda this week to restructure IT in state government. The reforms will consolidate state IT functions within a single new agency, the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA), resulting in the elimination of three existing agencies and two government oversight boards.

The governor said the initiative, in part, would result in lower technology costs for the commonwealth.

"By definition, technology is a fast-changing enterprise, and its use by an enterprise as large as state government must always be reformed," Gov. Warner said, in a statement.

A five-month study led by Secretary of Technology George Newstrom determined that state government -- excluding colleges and universities -- spends approximately $448 million on information technology every year. When higher education institutions are added to the calculation, annual technology spending comes to $902 million.

In addition, Virginia spends $192 million on 2,580 IT personnel. With respect to hardware and software, the study found that Virginia has 3,000 servers -- 200 of which do not meet basic industry standards -- and the existence of incompatible e-mail systems throughout state government. State government also lacks a comprehensive IT security plan, according to the study.

The governor's legislative package proposals seek to:

- Consolidate all IT services and all IT employees in Virginia into a single agency, VITA.

- Eliminate three state agencies: the Department of Information Technology, the Department of Technology Planning and the Virginia Information Providers Network (VIPNet) Authority.

- Eliminate two boards: the Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN) board and the Virginia Information Providers Network (VIPNet) board.

- Transfer all IT assets, including IT infrastructure and human resources, to VITA.

- Consolidate the independent IT divisions in 91 executive branch agencies -- excluding institutions of higher education, the legislative and judicial branches, and independent state agencies.

Warner said that by consolidating approximately $450 million in annual spending on IT, Virginia will generate millions in savings by eliminating redundant activities and taking advantage of the state's buying power for computer hardware and software purchases.

The governor also said he wants to create greater accountability and oversight for the funding and implementation of technology projects. Virginia must overcome failures in IT management during the past decade that have resulted in the waste of tens of millions of dollars due to failed projects and cost overruns, Warner said.

The secretary of technology will be the chairman of the Technology Investment Board, which will be responsible for reviewing and prioritizing enterprise-wide technology investments across state government.

The board will oversee a Virginia Technology Fund, allowing for a portion of the savings generated by these consolidation efforts to fund enterprise-wide technology investments on an ongoing basis.

The governor's plan also seeks to provide increased opportunities for state government IT employees through training and retraining to ensure that IT skills keep pace with advances in technology; access to sophisticated technology tools, resources and techniques; and the development of a professional focus that emphasizes customer service to both state government agencies and Virginia's citizens.

Office of Gov. Mark Warner