Connecticut Won't Centralize IT After AllConnecticut Won't Centralize IT After All

Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Tuesday that she is reversing a decision by the Rowland administration to centralize the administration of all state computer operations in the Department of Information Technology.

The move stops the planned transfer of 350 state employees. Rell had put the transfers on hold earlier this fall.

While the Department of Information Technology coordinates computer and other information services for state agencies, those agencies also employ computer technicians. Rell said all future information technology employees who perform work for state agencies will be hired by those agencies, because she believes that is the best way to deliver services.

"There is a wealth of talent among our state IT professionals," Rell said. "Centralization may have been halted, but our goal remains the same: Excellence in delivery in IT services, steady improvements in the services we provide to the public, and continued innovation."

Rell accepted the resignation of department commissioner and state CIO Rock Regan shortly after she took office on July 1, when former Gov. John Rowland resigned amid a federal corruption investigation and possible impeachment.

A national search for a new CIO is in progress, Rell's office said. Regan is expected to stay on until his replacement is named. Rell said she directed Regan to tell agency employees about the decision.