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State CIOs Meet With Delegations
by Maureen Sirhal
Facing budget shortfalls and federal demands to implement everything from homeland security measures to medical privacy rules, state chief information officers (CIOs) have authored a slew of white papers designed to influence members of Congress as they consider legislation on several technology policy matters.
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) held its annual "fly-in" in Washington last week and released eight white papers examining the states' role in homeland security, cyber security, e-government, technology-related healthcare mandates and federal funding for state information technology projects.
State CIOs met with Bush administration and congressional staffers, and they spoke to their respective congressional delegations on topics important to their states.
Nevada Chief Information Officer (CIO) Terry Savage, a member of his state's homeland security committee, said he stressed to his delegation the importance of achieving interoperability in the communications systems, particularly radios, used by the "first responders" to emergencies. "I got some commitments to have some help looking into that," Savage said.
Meanwhile, New Mexico CIO Bob Stafford emphasized the need for his state to get more money for IT projects. He said specific programs, such as those designated under the Workforce Investment Act, have "major funding" for states included but none specifically earmarked for the IT components.
Stafford said federal homeland-security mandates issued after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are "just the latest one of these things," where money is included for larger goals, such as first responders and bioterrorism, but not specific enough for technology.
Iowa CIO Richard Varn spoke to his delegation about the need to use technology to secure "living documents," such as birth certificates and driver's licenses. He also stressed that federal lawmakers need to be careful of appropriating funds for separate IT projects because many systems can be used for various initiatives. Common systems for multiple uses can save money and increase efficiency, Varn said.
Georgia CIO Larry Singer talked about the need to commingle state and federal tech funding. Because much federal IT funding for the states is conditional, NASCIO is urging flexible commingling guidelines and the establishment of discretionary pools of money instead of funds designated for specific purposes.
Lawmakers such as Reps. Tom Davis, R-Va., and Jim Turner, D-Texas, have embraced the idea. They drafted legislation that has stalled because of recommendations that were to be added by the General Accounting Office (GAO). GAO is supposed to present its recommendations "very soon," Singer said.
"The concern is [that] there's very little added value to the IT process," Singer said.
On another front, Singer praised an approach to privacy concerns advocated by Georgia Republican Rep. Robert Barr. He made the comments during a roundtable briefing with reporters.
Singer praised a bill, H.R. 4561, that would give states an avenue to weigh in on the privacy impact of federal regulations. The measure would require any federal agencies to perform a privacy-impact statement on the proposed regulations and weigh the public's privacy concerns before issuing final rules.
"The concept of shining a light on federal IT impact of policy making ... is very important to state governments," Singer said. But he stopped short of endorsing the measure, saying he had to study the bill's language more closely.
Teaching Technology To The Teachers
California Democrat Mike Honda is teaming up with teachers, students and high-tech leaders to celebrate the achievements of Tech Corp California (TCCA), a nonprofit organization that fosters collaboration between technology firms and California's elementary and secondary schools to help educators meet technology needs.
The project was launched with a grant from John Doerr, a partner with the Silicon Valley venture-capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. "Organizations like Tech Corp help leverage what is probably the most valuable resources we have here in Silicon Valley -- motivated, forward-thinking professionals eager to make a difference in their communities," Honda said in a statement.
The organization has created partnerships among more than 12 school districts in the San Francisco area and more than 250 tech firms, according to TCCA state Director Bill Maguire.
States React To Healthcare Mandates
States are struggling to comply with federal healthcare privacy and security mandates under the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the National Governors Association (NGA) this week released a paper outlining some strategies to implement the new rules.
"For states, the large scope of HIPAA will mean that compliance costs could exceed those incurred during" the preparation for the year 2000 computer bug, wrote Robert Burns, an NGA health analyst.
HIPAA requires health organizations and governments to streamline their computer systems and health data and promulgate medical privacy rules. Security rules under the law have yet to be released. The paper highlights approaches several states are taking to meet HIPAA deadlines and requirements in the absence of guidance from the Health and Human Services Department that could clarify the rules.
California, for example, has created the Office of HIPPA Implementation to coordinate all HIPAA-related activities. North Carolina included budget funds for its state health department to form a team to assess the impact of HIPAA.
Burns noted that while states may be taking different approaches, the plans contain some common elements: a single state agency or office to coordinate HIPAA compliance, collaboration with a formal advisory or steering committee and performance of an initial impact assessment, followed by a formal strategy or guide for compliance.
New Florida Law To Fund Tech Research
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush last week signed into law a bill, S.B. 1844, that is designed to spur innovation in the state's technology economy by creating new research facilities at Florida universities and colleges.
The Florida Technology Development Initiative provides $30 million to develop several Centers of Excellence around the state. The research centers will be granted new facilities and resources -- including funds to endow academics -- to conduct high-end technology research.
"This legislation represents a significant investment in the future of the technological, educational and economic base of our state," Bush said in a signing ceremony. "Florida is widely recognized for its unique fusion of high-tech industry sectors to include simulation, optics and space technology, as well as emerging new sectors in biotechnology, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence. This legislation will leverage those strengths, bringing a greater share of the global technology market to Florida while diversifying our already vibrant economy."
The bill also extends the public funding of research and development parks to include state colleges and agencies. And Florida's Web portal receives $3.8 million under the measure.
North Carolina CIO Makes It Official
Earlier this month, George Bakolia officially assumed duties as North Carolina's new CIO. Appointed in April by Gov. Mike Easley, Bakolia replaces Ronald Hawley, who retired to pursue a position with the California nonprofit group SEARCH.
Bakolia served as the CIO for North Carolina's Justice Department, where he managed agency IT systems and, before that, served as the agency's first-data processing manager.
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