James Taylor: Florida Legislature prioritizes IT modernization, earns praise

Businesswoman connected tech devices and icons applications to a digital planet earth

The Florida Legislature is making notable strides toward improving information technology interoperability and coordination across state agencies — a move welcomed by the Florida Technology Council (FTC) as a key step toward a more connected, efficient, and modern government.

As digital needs continue to grow across all corners of government, the Legislature’s recent attention to IT collaboration and shared service models reflects a strong recognition of what agency leaders and technologists have long understood: to deliver modern, secure, and cost- effective public services, agencies must be empowered to work together — without sacrificing their independence.

Key to success: Flexibility, funding, and federated control

Florida is a federated state. Each agency has distinct missions, responsibilities, and operational structures. Recognizing this, the Council emphasizes that any statewide IT initiative must embrace flexibility at its core. Optimization at the enterprise does not require shifting from a federated approach to a consolidated form of government where the central authority holds all power and agencies are subordinate. Florida has the ability to empower — not constrain — while embracing enterprise initiatives.

Equally important is incentivizing participation — a concept that must go far beyond simple compliance. For state agencies, incentivization means receiving the tools, support, and resources needed to make meaningful engagement not just feasible but advantageous. This includes technical and staffing support that enables agencies to operate more efficiently, not less; investments that reduce, not increase, workloads; and solutions that lower long-term operational costs rather than introduce new financial burdens.

Participation in statewide IT initiatives must feel like an opportunity — not an obligation. Sustainability is more likely to be achieved when agencies are engaged and benefits are clear: enhanced capabilities, reduced duplication, easier access to enterprise tools, and the freedom to redirect saved time and resources toward mission-critical goals. In short, incentivizing participation means designing enterprise strategies that help agencies do their jobs better, faster, and more effectively — without disruptions, delays, or financial drain.

Toward a modern enterprise: Shared services and app optimization

The Council supports the Legislature’s growing interest in empowering our State CIO to deliver shared services, application optimization, and standardized best practices across the enterprise. When implemented correctly, these efforts can reduce costs, improve security, and accelerate innovation — while avoiding duplication of effort.

Clear authority and measurable progress

For any new enterprise approach to succeed, agencies need clear statutory authority and responsibility to act, required assessments, and regular progress reporting. Success hinges on defined goals, proper funding, and measurable outcomes.

Importantly, this effort must be approached as a multiyear initiative. Meaningful transformation takes time. A phased rollout allows thoughtful design, testing, and iteration to ensure long-term success without disrupting critical services.

The Florida Technology Council commends the Legislature for its forward-thinking leadership and pledges its continued support in helping Florida lead the nation in public sector IT modernization. By staying committed to agency flexibility, necessary funding, and long-term planning, Florida can build a more interoperable, resilient, and responsive state government for all, which is genuinely the goal our Legislature is seeking to achieve.

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James Taylor is CEO of the Florida Technology Council.