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.

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Democrats and other critics slammed Republicans for trying to destroy the citizen-led constitutional amendment process during a House committee hearing.

“This bill, as currently written, really is just a death knell for the citizen-led ballot initiatives,” said Democrat Rep. Lindsay Cross.

Despite an hour of public testimony against HB 1205, the House State Affairs Committee advanced the bill in its final committee stop with a 17-7 party-line vote.

“Our citizen initiative petition process is broken, and we are the ones that must fix it,” argued Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, a Fort Myers Republican who sponsored the bill. “This process has been taken over by out-of-state fraudsters looking to make a quick buck and by special interest intent on buying their way into the constitution.”

The proposed changes to the ballot initiative process come after last year’s abortion rights initiative fell short of the 60% threshold to pass.

Amendment 4 became a target of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who accused the political committee sponsoring it of fraud. The Floridians Protecting Freedom (FPF) political action committee later paid a $164,000 settlement with the state over allegations that paid petition circulators submitted fraudulent petitions. FPF and Democrats said DeSantis went on a political witch hunt.

Now, Republicans are trying to change the requirements for future initiatives. HB 1205 would require citizen-led ballot initiatives to put down a $1 million bond, which Persons-Mulicka proposed must be paid once 25% of the needed signatures to get on the ballot are collected.

The bill’s changes include slashing the deadline so groups would need to submit petitions within 10 days of getting them signed, instead of the current 30-day window. It would also increase penalties and upgrade the criminal charges for groups that don’t follow the stricter rules.

One of the more interesting provisions in the bill also strikes back at DeSantis who, as the public face against last year’s abortion rights and legalized marijuana initiatives, reportedly spent millions of public dollars to fight them.

Republicans pushed back against the Governor and added a measure in the bill that would ban public funds spent on “communications” during constitutional amendments.

“Do you think it would prohibit some of the activity we saw this past session with the Office of the Governor using public funds — what they said were PSAs, but felt more like political ads?” asked Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani.

Persons-Mulicka declined to definitively answer the question saying, “I think there’s a lot of different factual scenarios and speculation that can be made.”

The committee also amended the bill to strip the state’s top economist as a voting member from the Financial Impact Estimating Conference.

Last year, the conference featured a political showdown pitting Florida economic chief Amy Baker against a DeSantis office representative and a Heritage Foundation staffer during the conference, as they debated putting a “financial impact statement” on the ballot next to the Amendment 4 abortion rights language. Baker lost as the lone dissenting vote.

“I would just say that the Office of Economic and Demographic Research will still be at the table. They still will have an advisory role. They still have an opinion. But with that being said, they need to be ex officio,” said Rep. Griff Griffitts, who filed the amendment. “I think it’s good policy.”

Democrats’ attempts to water down the bill failed Wednesday.

Cecile Scoon, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of Florida, argued that citizen-led initiatives take shape because the public is disappointed in the Legislature’s inaction.

“The only reason that they’re doing it is the citizens often feel that their elected officials are not listening to their needs,” she said. “They go to their elected officials and they say, ‘We need more money for our work. We need a minimum wage to be raised.’ Nothing is done, so the citizens take that on.”

The bill’s measures, especially shortening the timeline to submit petitions, would be “detrimental,” she said.

Republicans are dancing around the issue and masking their true intentions, argued Larry Colleton, a member of Orange County’s NAACP.

“You don’t want citizen initiatives. Just say that. Don’t pretend with this $1 million bond,” he said.

Added Democratic Rep. Debra Tendrich, “There is a big difference between restrictions and protections. We’ve kind of crossed that line from protecting our rights to creating additional restrictions and barriers.”

Republicans brushed off the opposition.

“I’m in favor of this good bill,” said Rep. Mike Caruso. “When we speak about ballot initiatives, we are speaking about our constitution, which is the foundation of Florida, and as a foundation, it should be strong. It should be solid and not be subject to the whims of the moment, like the shifting sands of our beaches.”

Rep. Meg Weinberger fought back as the bill’s critics said the public’s voice will be silenced if the measure passes.

“What amazes me about this process in the Legislature is that any citizen can bring an idea to the legislator and advocate for that idea to turn into law. So I think that some people are misinformed,” she said. “As far as the bill is, if you read it, if I’m correct, it’s really just protecting the petition process and the initiatives. It’s safeguarding from fraud.”

Florida Politics asked Lauren Brenzel, FPF’s former Campaign Director, if advocates were planning to sue if the bill passes this Session.

“We are going to continue to apply as much pressure as we can on the Legislature to stop this bill. It’s a bad bill,” she said during Wednesday’s press conference with the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center.

“I know that after Legislative Session, depending on whether or not the bill passes, partners in the state will be looking for all available options available to them to make sure that they’re able to protect citizens’ rights to amend their Constitution.”

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To support Cell Phones for Soldiers and in collaboration with the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA), Deloitte hosted its first Device Day at the Florida State Capitol on March 20.

As part of the event, legislators and staff, state employees, community members and Deloitte employees donated cell phones and other electronic devices to active-duty military members and veterans.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a nonprofit organization committed to bridging the communication gap for military families. Since its founding in 2004, the organization has provided more than 400 million minutes of free talk time.

“As a veteran and a public servant, I know firsthand the power of a simple phone call to lift spirits and strengthen resolve. In hard times, a familiar voice is priceless,” said Sen. Jay Collins, United States Army Special Forces combat veteran, Green Beret and Purple Heart recipient.

“This program ensures that no service member has to go without that lifeline. Many thanks to Deloitte for the excellent work they do through the Cell Phones for Soldiers program.”

Devices collected during Deloitte Device Day will be shipped to Cell Phones for Soldiers where they will be refurbished for resale or responsibly recycled. The proceeds will fund free cell phones and 12 months of free talk and text service for veterans and active-duty military members.

Rep. Yvette Benarroch, a United States Air Force veteran who served during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and received the National Defense Service Medal, reflected on her own experiences.

“During my time in the service, being separated from my loved ones was one of the most challenging aspects of deployment. Deloitte Device Day is a crucial initiative that helps service members and veterans stay connected with their families, no matter the distance.”

“As a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, I know firsthand the dedication and sacrifice it takes to serve,” said Sen. Keith Truenow. “Keeping deployed personnel and veterans connected with their loved ones is an incredible cause. I hope we see Deloitte Device Day become an annual tradition at the Capitol.”

“Initiatives like this are crucial in ensuring that our veterans stay connected with their families and loved ones,” said Bob Asztalos, Deputy Executive Director of the FDVA. “We are grateful to Deloitte and Cell Phones for Soldiers for their partnership in supporting our veterans, and we look forward to continued collaboration to enhance the services we provide to those who have served our country.”

“What started as an idea by a couple of kids has since evolved into a nationwide effort to keep military families connected,” said Rob Bergquist, founder and director of Cell Phones for Soldiers. “We are grateful to Deloitte and FDVA for their collaboration in expanding our mission here in Florida.”

“Deloitte is proud to be part of this important initiative because it enables us to show our appreciation to those who answered the call to serve and those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said David Friedman, principal, Deloitte Consulting, LLP, and the leader of Deloitte’s work with the State of Florida.

To learn more about how the donation process works or to find additional ways to support Cell Phones for Soldiers, visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/how-it-works.

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