"The creation of the Department of Technology Services is an important step toward bringing California's state government technology structure into the 21st century," said Schwarzenegger. "Californians deserve to have a government that serves them effectively and efficiently and this reorganization is an important part of accomplishing that goal. I look forward to working with the Legislature to improve and modernize state government so that it better serves Californians."
The Department of Technology Services consolidates the Stephen P. Teale (Teale) and Health and Human Services Data Centers (HHSDC) with the Department of General Services Office of Network Services (ONS) under the jurisdiction of the State and Consumer Services Agency. By combining these two large general purpose data centers with the organization responsible for telecommunications within state government, the state expects to improve efficiency and eliminate the duplication of services.
"We look forward to increased efficiency in operations, better delivery of customer services, and an overall solid organization to serve our citizens," said Fred Aguiar, State and Consumer Services Agency Secretary. "DTS will significantly change the way information technology services are provided to state agencies."
On March 31, 2005 Governor Schwarzenegger submitted Governor's Reorganization Plan (GRP) to the Little Hoover Commission to establish the Department. On May 9, 2005 he submitted that plan to the Legislature for their review. Under the executive reorganization process the Legislature has 60 days to review and consider a governor's reorganization plan. If the plan is not rejected by either house of the Legislature during that time, it becomes effective. For this GRP, that 60-day period expired at midnight on Friday, July 8, 2005.
DTS is the second major area of state government Governor Schwarzenegger has restructured through the GRP process. On May 10, 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger announced the transformation of the Youth Adult Correctional Agency into the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. This reorganization became effective on July 1, 2005.
The Governor has appointed Bob Austin to serve as chief deputy director and acting director of DTS. Austin will work closely with the State and Consumer Services Agency to ensure the Department's smooth transition. DTS will have an operating budget of $235.4 million and will employ nearly 800 staff.
