ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON LABOR
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The purpose of this hearing is to examine the current structure of New York's IT workforce and the use of state employees and contractors within that workforce. The Committees invite testimony regarding best practices for the State to implement regarding knowledge transfer from private to public employees and potential cost saving measures that can be implemented while maintaining a high level of technical expertise throughout the State of New York.
Testimony should be directed to the following areas:
What is the relative cost to the State of New York to employ a consultant for an ongoing position as compared to a state worker? What are the different skill sets that consultants provide when commanding a higher salary, and are those skills identifiable in the current public workforce? Are there opportunities for cost-saving insourcing in any particular agencies, specialties, or skill sets?
What procedures exist to ensure that consultants transfer relevant skills and knowledge to public employees over the course of their contracts, particularly during projects that create a permanent need for such skills? What are the barriers facing agencies regarding effective knowledge transfer?
What are the barriers that deter agencies from filling high-skill technology positions with public employees? Are there statewide policies that could help agencies rely more on their current workforce and less on outside consultants?
How can the state civil service and workforce development systems best attract, retain, and develop highly skilled IT workers into the public sector?
What changes in practice or statute could New York pursue to receive better value from those contracts for outside IT services that it procures? How can the experiences of other states and municipalities inform the State in this regard?
Persons wishing to present a written statement to the Committees at this hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committees' interest in hearing testimony from all sources.
In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.
Peter Abbate, Chair
Committee on Governmental Employees
Susan V. John, Chair
Committee on Labor