Concerns raised about IT bill

The Federation on Wednesday raised serious concerns about HB 3178, the bill creating efficiencies in the use of technology in state government.

Local 443 member Tim Young of the Department of Fish and Wildlife told the House Ways and Means Committee the bill would not provide all the streamlining intended because the state budget office could potentially review and veto every single request to upgrade an operating system, for instance.

“Our advice is to allow agencies more discretion with upgrades, which are considered routine,” Young said.

Workers are also troubled by contracting out, he said.

“We oppose outsourcing to private contractors as encouraged in the bill,” Young said. “We feel, though, that IT work can be better performed by the state’s dedicated IT professionals.”