IT Centralization Review Among New Jersey Committee’s Recommendations for New Governor

New Jersey’s Government Technology and Innovation Transition Advisory Committee has laid out 15 recommendations for new Governor Phil Murphy. These include upgrading the government’s technology infrastructure, improving e-government services, strengthening links between universities and innovators, attracting and keeping tech talent, and fostering tech hubs and innovators while expanding access to secure internet. Specifically, the committee suggested evaluating IT systems and considering improvements during the first six months. Although the role of the committee is advisory, and Murphy is, according to his Press Secretary, taking these recommendations under advisement, which might include new RFPs for security and functionality upgrades.

Overall, the recommendations brought by the committee include a range of possible new initiatives. These include the creation of a central tech transfer office that could assist with research and development and encouraging public schools to expand computer science offerings and set up STEM student loan forgiveness to bolster the Tech workforce. Jay Bhatti, one of the committee co-chairs, conveyed that the committee believe the state is “poised for a technical revolution,” a viewpoint which is shared with the new governor. Although the actual efforts remain to be seen, these insights could be indicative of changes and opportunities in the government technology landscape in New Jersey on the horizon.

Source: GovTech