Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday submitted a proposed reorganization plan that includes language maintaining the authority and title of the state Chief Information Officer, a change from previous language in Brown’s proposed 2012-2013 Budget.
A spokesperson for the Governor says the new language reflects concerns raised by the technology industry.
"The Governor’s Reorganization Plan, submitted last week, reflects input and feedback from a number of stakeholders and clarifies previous language regarding the role of the CIO at the new Government Operations Agency," said gubernatorial spokesperson Evan Westrup in an email.
On Thursday, representatives from TechAmerica, a national trade association which has raised concerns about the plan, met with senior staff in the governor’s office before the plan was submitted to the Little Hoover Commission on Friday. The association issued a statement expressing appreciation that the updated plan would have the State CIO direct and set statewide information technology policy as is currently done by the Technology Agency.
TechAmerica Vice President Carol Henton said "we look forward to fully reviewing the Governor’s proposal and appreciate his consideration of our concerns regarding the necessity of preserving the Technology Agency’s full authority in any reorganization plan."
In February, TechAmerica raised concerns about the plan, which will cut state agencies from 12 down to 10. The association suggested possible negative consequences from eliminating the California Technology Agency by placing it under the new Department of Technology and changing the state CIO position from its current cabinet status. The letter stated that the CIO should remain a cabinet-level position so that the position remains on an equal level with the other cabinet-level officials the CIO must work with.
The Little Hoover Commission has 30 days from Friday to review the plan and issue recommendations to the Legislature which will have 60 days to reject it, or allow it go into effect.
Assembymember Joan Buchanan is also taking up the proposed reorganization plan in the Budget subcommittee 4 on April 24 at 1:30 pm, according to spokesperson Susanna Schlendorf. The subcommittee will discuss different categories of government operations on different days, with the April 24th meeting focusing on the Technology Agency and the Financial System for California, Schlendorf confirmed today.
