Connecticut puts tech staff transfer on hold

Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell has suspended the decision by her predecessor to consolidate all state technology personnel into the state's Department of Information Technology, the governor's office announced Wednesday.

The governor's action temporarily blocks the transfer of the management of about 350 information and technology employees in various state agencies to the state IT department until a new commissioner is hired. The consolidation had been planned to take effect Oct. 1.

Under the centralization plan approved by former Gov. John Rowland, non-managerial computer personnel would have continued serving in various state agencies, but would have become state IT department employees. Currently, the state IT department coordinates information technology services for the state, but individual agencies also employ computer staffers.

Rowland resigned June 21 amid a growing financial scandal stemming from allegations that he failed to disclose receiving gifts from people doing business with the state.

For now, state IT employees will remain employees of their current agencies and continue to coordinate their work with the state IT department, Rell said. The state's first priority will be hiring a new commissioner for the department, she said. That person's first task will be a full review of the state IT department's current operations.

"As with any major initiative, it is important that we have all the pieces in place before choosing a course of action," Rell said. "The new commissioner will be charged with determining the most appropriate way to maximize the delivery of IT to state government."