 |
|
OP/ED
June 08, 2007
IT Cost Overruns Bite Taxpayers
By State Senator Robert Cowles
A recently released audit by the non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau revealed an appalling amount of waste and mismanagement in several costly IT projects. The audit also showed that poor planning and execution with little oversight has led to tens of millions of taxpayer dollars being wasted.
The Audit Bureau reviewed 184 state IT projects with an estimated cost of $291.7 million. The Bureau paid particular attention to six large, high-risk projects experiencing significant delays and estimated cost overruns of $122.7 million at completion. A seventh large, high-risk system has recently been suspended after costing $23.6 million, and achieving virtually none of its initial goals.
The Audit Bureau reviewed 184 state IT projects with an estimated cost of $291.7 million. The Bureau paid particular attention to six large, high-risk projects experiencing significant delays and estimated cost overruns of $122.7 million at completion. A seventh large, high-risk system has recently been suspended after costing $23.6 million, and achieving virtually none of its initial goals.
We need to protect the taxpayers by getting these costly IT projects under control. Unfortunately the Democrats on the Joint Finance Committee failed to take action when they had the chance last week, letting partisan politics get in the way of doing the right thing.
We need to protect the taxpayers by getting these costly IT projects under control. Unfortunately the Democrats on the Joint Finance Committee failed to take action when they had the chance last week, letting partisan politics get in the way of doing the right thing.
I am introducing a separate bill to require legislative oversight of State Information Technology projects; ensuring recommendations of the audit are fully implemented. Taxpayers need to know that this waste of their money will not be allowed to continue.
