State Technology Agency Measure On Its Way To Gov. Scott
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - Florida is closer to having a long-discussed information-technology agency to oversee large computer projects and set tech policy for state government.
A House bill on its way to Gov. Rick Scott for his signature would establish the Agency for State Technology, which will be housed in the Department of Management Services.
The agency is expected to employ 25 people and cost $4.8 million in its first year.
Sen. Jeremy Ring, a former Yahoo.com executive, has spent four years pushing for the agency, finding little support in past sessions from the House. Things changed this year as the proposal came against the backdrop of widely reported troubles with Florida's $63 million unemployment computer system and security breaches at giant retailers such as Target.
The new agency would have oversight of executive branch entities, provide project oversight for all technology projects exceeding $10 million and review all information technology purchases over $250,000.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.