Appropriations hears OTS CIO on mainframe upgrade, 44 vacancies and cross‑agency tech investment needs

The House Appropriations Committee on April 14 heard an OTS update from newly appointed CIO Evelina Broussard and agency leadership. Broussard said OTS has begun a mainframe hardware upgrade, has shortened some application wait times and is evaluating a future cloud‑based provider to replace legacy mainframe systems.

Why it matters: OTS supports technology used across state agencies. Committee members signaled that investments in backbone systems could reduce recurring operational failures that affect services such as the Office of Motor Vehicles and other agency operations.

Broussard, who said she had been on the job about six weeks, told members she was prioritizing OMB (Office of Management and Budget) system stabilization and mainframe replacement work. Deputy Commissioner Patrick Goldsmith told the committee OTS and administration leaders expect to request non‑recurring funding for technology projects this budget cycle, including upgrades to the mainframe and other agency systems such as those used by wildlife and other departments.

Vacancies and funding model: committee members asked about OTS staffing. Goldsmith and staff reported 44 funded vacancies in OTS; those positions are funded primarily through interagency transfers and cost‑recovery (not state general fund). Broussard and Goldsmith said filling technical positions is difficult in the current labor market and that OTS is pursuing recruitment while recognizing private‑sector salary competition.

Requests and next steps: OTS leaders asked the committee to consider targeted, non‑recurring technology investments this year to allow replacement of aging hardware and to accelerate migration off legacy systems. Broussard said the agency will continue work to reduce wait times during the transition and will coordinate requests with the governor’s office and OMB. No formal action was taken during the hearing.