A new study shows the Florida state government can save $472 million over five years by reforming its use of information technology.
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), released “Driving the Next Wave of IT-Enabled State Government Productivity” which shows reforms could mean major savings for the state government.
“In the same way that technology has driven productivity growth in the private sector, there is a great opportunity for savings by state governments,” said Robert Atkinson, the founder and president of ITIF who co-wrote the report. “But to achieve this promise of e-government, leaders will need to clearly articulate the goal of replacing labor with technology. They will need to take on entrenched political opposition and overcome an array of administrative challenges, including an unwillingness to increase IT investments that would generate significant returns.”
The report notes that expanding service online and at kiosks, using more online applications and better analytics would lead to savings in Tallahassee. ITIF also called for giving state chief information officers more authority and relying more on public-private partnerships as technology changes.
Atkinson insisted on Tuesday that citizens would benefit as state governments increasingly embrace new technology.
“Imagine a leaner state government that needs fewer workers and materials to get the same or better results,” Atkinson said. “By fully integrating technology into agency operations, governments can cut the time citizens waste standing in line or filling out forms, reduce the burden on taxpayers, and make everyday services more efficient and effective. This not only cuts costs, but also makes everyone more productive -- which is essential for state economic growth.”
The report shows that state governments across the nation can save almost $11.2 billion over a five-year period. If ITIF’s recommendations are implemented. The report shows California could save the most -- more than $1.3 billion -- followed by New York, Texas, New Jersey and Florida.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
