HARRISBURG – Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), chair of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee, announced the committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, October 30 at 9 a.m. on consolidating the state’s information technology.
“Our Commonwealth and its taxpayers pay approximately $1 billion for IT each and every year,” Phillips-Hill said. “As our economy and state becomes more digital, it is important we look at modernizing state government to get into the 21st century so we are prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow.”
Phillips-Hill and Senator Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) are sponsors of legislation that would merge the state’s IT services as well as streamline and strengthen cybersecurity within state government.
“This hearing will be helpful to provide input and insight into what is working well and what could be improved,” Phillips-Hill said. “I think the most helpful thing is that everyone agrees that our state will rely on technology more – not less – in the years to come. We have the opportunity to lay the groundwork to ensure taxpayers are protected and the money they send to Harrisburg is used in the most efficient manner.”
The hearing will be held in Hearing Room 8E-A in the state Capitol. Scheduled testifiers include Representative Seth Grove, who is sponsoring similar legislation in the House of Representatives; the Commonwealth’s Chief Information Officer John MacMillan; Erik Avakian, who serves as the Chief Information Security Officer for the Commonwealth; Ken Hess on behalf of the Department of General Services; and John Alwine of Unisys.
More information, including a link for a video livestream, can be found at communications.pasenategop.com.