Florida Governor Jeb Bush yesterday announced funding recommendations for the Florida State Technology Office (STO), including a reorganization that transforms the office into a center for state government information technology (IT) policy.

"The STO will become the entity in state government that sets technology standards and drives statewide IT policy, in keeping with Governor Bush's original vision," said State Chief Information Officer Simone Marstiller. "I look forward to working with the Florida Legislature to provide the best value to our state by implementing this transition."

Currently, the STO is responsible for the planning, implementation, and management of IT for the state of Florida. As a service provider, the STO offers numerous services to state and local governments. Operating as an independent entity within the Department of Management Services (DMS), Governor Bush's recommended reorganization would transfer these service functions to DMS, including 167 positions and $260 million. The DMS will assume maintenance and operation of existing service functions, including, Data Center and Applications Management, MyFlorida.com Portal, Information Security, and MyFloridaNet.

The reorganized STO will consist of an Enterprise Program Management Office (EPMO) and a Technology Strategies Office to ensure effective governance of IT investments and to promote excellence in IT project management within Florida state government. The STO, with 26 employees and a proposed budget of $3.2 million, will be led by the state chief information officer, who will continue to report directly to the Governor.