How the services tax would harm Oklahoma's economy

Over the past few months Oklahomans have been hearing about the attempt to enact a new tax on "services". Oklahoma law has historically held services harmless from direct taxation. Those who provide services must already pay income tax on their...
Read the full story on this issue, by clicking on the link below, from Rep. Jason Murphey R-Guthrie
via Rep. Jason Murphey

Opposing the Gas Tax Increase

Over the past few days you may have seen news stories describing the impending introduction of a gas tax increase. Those who suggest Oklahoma should increase the gas tax are using the following reasoning: "Oklahoma has the one of the lowest...

from Rep. Jason Murphey R-Guthrie
by Jason.Murphey@hd31.org (Jason Murphey)

Has State Government Spending Declined -- The Answer Will Surprise You

During the past two to three years, the public has been treated to a plethora of news stories describing the state government’s appropriations shortfall.This simplistic, negative narrative, constantly repeated, takes a toll on the psyche of the...

from Rep. Jason Murphey R-Guthrie
by Jason.Murphey@hd31.org (Jason Murphey)

Documenting Reform

Those who have read these articles in the last few weeks may have noticed a common theme: a description of cost savings, complete with a reference to a comprehensive report that demonstrates these savings.These cost savings reports were mandated by...

from Rep. Jason Murphey R-Guthrie http://ift.tt/2mApWTN
via Rep. Jason Murphey

Nearing Completion

03.06.2017

Last Wednesday, Oklahoma's Chief Information Officer told our House Government Modernization Committee that the effort to unify state government information technology assets has saved 129 million dollars. This is a significant increase over the 115 million he testified to during a similar committee meeting just a few months ago. 

CIO: James "Bo" Reese

The CIO attributed much of the most recent savings to the recent involvement of the Department of Human Services.

In recent months, DHS has consolidated their 8,222 square feet of data center space and 55 separate IT systems into just 100 square feet of data center space at the state's shared data center. The old DHS data center space is now available use for office space, thus allowing the Department to give up leased office space.

In the early days of the unification effort, the primary political opposition to the IT unification plan came from DHS who at that time sought to be exempted from the unification. The current day leadership of DHS appears to be changing the old guard culture of resistance to reform, and the new leaders have embraced the opportunity for cost savings and efficiency.

I initially toured the DHS data center at a time when it seemed the agency's resistance to the IT reform might prove insurmountable. The massive facility was a labyrinth and an absolute indicator of government inefficiency.

Now, things have changed. DHS provides an exemplary example of a state agency that has been willing to put aside the antiquated culture of resistance to reform and are now willing to share their IT services with other agencies. The millions in savings will continue to occur year after year because of the commitment of DHS and other civic, reform-minded state agencies who are now working together.

Better still, the CIO believes the savings will continue to climb as more state agencies join the effort and share their IT resources with each other. 

He expects that the remaining state agencies will be brought into the unified IT environment by the end of this fiscal year.

If he's correct, this year will finally conclude one of the most dramatic modernization reforms/re-organizations in the history of the state. 

Those who have been charged with implementing the reform have overcome numerous technical, logistical and political obstacles.

Its completion has only been possible because of continued foresight and commitment from numerous state officials who realize the importance of efficiency and the far-reaching benefits of shared services between agencies.

You can view the most recent IT unification savings report by visiting ok.gov/cio.

@JWMurphey

Savings from State Agency IT Collaboration hits $129 Million Mark

03.01.2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: State Rep. Jason Murphey

Phone: (405) 557-7350

Contact: State Rep. Tom Gann

Phone (405) 557-7364

Savings from State Agency IT Collaboration hits $129 Million Mark

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma state agencies are realizing an ever increasing amount of savings from Oklahoma government's ongoing information technology unification reform.

On Wednesday, Oklahoma Chief Information Officer Bo Reese told the House Government Modernization Committee that the reform has saved $129 million – a significant increase over the $115 million Reese testified to last fall during a House Appropriations & Budget Committee study.

"Today's testimony demonstrates that savings to the taxpayer are rapidly accelerating as more and more state agencies continue to come together and pool their IT resources for the betterment of all state government," explained committee Vice Chairman Tom Gann, R-Inola.

Reese attributed much of the most recent savings to the recent involvement of the Department of Human Services (DHS) in the unification effort.

In recent months DHS has consolidated their 8,200 square feet of data center space and 55 separate IT systems into just 100 square feet of data center space at the state's shared data center. The old DHS data center space is now available to use for office space allowing the department to give up leased office space.

"DHS provides an exemplary example of a state agency that has been willing to put aside the antiquated culture of resistance to reform and shared services with other agencies." stated committee Chairman Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie. "The millions in savings will continue to occur year after year because of the commitment of DHS and the commitment of the other civic, reform-minded state agencies who are now working together."

Reese told committee members that the multi-year IT unification plan is nearing completion and is expected to reach completion by the end of the current fiscal year.

@JWMurphey