CalSTA oversees eight transportation-related departments, with the most recognizable names being the departments of Motor Vehicles, Transportation (Caltrans), California High-Speed Rail Authority and California Highway Patrol. All told, CalSTA’s human resources portfolio includes some 41,000 state workers.
“The complexity, sensitivity and scale of IT initiatives within these departments require an enterprise-level governance structure to ensure accountability, maximize value and reduce risk,” the agency noted in its budget change proposal (BCP).
CalSTA is asking for $860,000 for the 2026-27 budget year, as well as three permanent positions. At the moment, the Enterprise Portfolio Management Office has no authorized expenditures or position authority and is relying on staff on loan from other departments, according to the BCP.
That team currently manages a portfolio worth an estimated $1.3 billion. Of that larger pot, 13 project approval lifecycle (PAL) projects total an estimated $584 million, with planning costs north of $26 million. There are two project delivery lifecycle (PDL) projects valued at about $39 million, with planning costs valued at around $3 million. In addition, there are six non-delegated projects worth $694 million and one delegated project worth just under $10 million.
“Currently, CalSTA lacks the dedicated capacity to effectively govern, monitor and report on enterprise IT investments across its eight diverse departments. This gap introduces considerable risk, including project delays, misaligned investments, inefficiencies in resource allocation and noncompliance with statewide IT mandates,” the budget request reads. “Without a centralized and permanent governance function, the agency’s ability to deliver consistent value and ensure accountability in IT decision-making is significantly compromised.”
CalSTA expanded on the potential risks of denying the funding and positions, which could include:
- Increased risk of noncompliance with California Department of Technology requirements
- Lack of centralized oversight and governance
- Inefficient use of IT resources across departments
- Data inaccuracy and impaired decision-making
- Stalled progress on human-centered product design
- Long-term program instability
