Out of the ashes of the state's $95 million failed project to create a new accounting system may come an entirely new state agency that would gain oversight of several key - and expensive - technology systems embedded in Florida state government.
The Florida Senate has been moving along a substantial piece of legislation, SB 2088, that would create the Agency for Enterprise Business Services within the Department of Financial Services. While Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink would not have complete control of this new state agency, she would have a great deal of power over the operation. The Governor and Cabinet would oversee the new entity, but both she and the governor would have to agree on the executive director. The CFO would have the power to break a tie vote, a provision that could be at odds with the state Constitution since it spells out that the governor usually must be on the prevailing side for something to be approved.
(Of course if Sink were to run for governor, then the power would fall to the next CFO, who could be Senate President Jeff Atwater.)
The duties of this agency are not unsubstantial. One of its major duties would be to help oversee the creation of a new state accounting system to keep track of bills and state spending. Project ASPIRE was intended to replace the state's accounting system but Sink suspended the project in 2007 after the state had spent nearly $100 million and was nowhere near finishing the project.
But the new agency would also be tasked with maintaining a watch over several other big technology systems, including the PeopleFirst personnel system and the MyFloridaMarketplace purchasing system, which are run by the Department of Management Services. These two major systems - which are run by outside companies in contracts worth more than $465 million - have their contracts come up for renewal in 2010 and 2011.
Perfect timing. In the throws of a major budget shortfall, the legislature has decided to expand the size of government. I thought there was a Republican majority?
Posted by: Eugene Danaher | April 22, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Just what we need: another platform for Alex Sink to "stink-up" with her "I am so wonderful B.S." Does this lady EVER follow through with anything?
Posted by: Bill | May 08, 2009 at 01:06 PM