Murphey, a 36-year-old software developer, has shepherded a number of IT-related bills through the legislative process, including measures to create a cabinet-level CIO and consolidate state computer systems. Those moves were set to save more than $120 million by late 2013, according to the state. The committee also has tackled measures to improve state software purchasing, promote electronic payments, and simplify business licensing and permitting.
In a 2013 interview, Murphey said legislative turnover — led partly by term limits enacted in 1990 — is driving a shift in how state elected leaders view technology issues and his committee. “We’re seeing the age of the legislature getting younger and younger,” he said. “And those members have an extreme proclivity toward this venue.”
With Oklahoma’s newly centralized IT structure making it easier to enact statewide technology reforms, Murphey said the Gov Mod Committee was just getting warmed up.
“We’re going to be introspective on how we can use technology to cut the cost to the taxpayer and improve efficiency,” he said. “We’ll also spend a lot of time looking at transparency issues. We want to empower citizens to hold government accountable using data 2.0 concepts.”
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