New Law In CT Takes Aim At State Operations Bureaucracy

CONNECTICUT — Governor Ned Lamont today held a bill signing ceremony in New Canaan to draw attention to new legislation meant to benefit procurement operations, digital government initiatives, and the Small and Minority Business Program. The law also adds new members with an education background to the Commission on Educational Technology.

Lamont signed the legislation, Public Act 21-76, "An Act Concerning the Modernization of State Services and the Membership of the Commission for Educational Technology," on June 28. It went into effect July 1.

The legislation streamlines outdated bureaucratic processes, provides state agencies with more flexibility to use digital tools, and small and minority owned businesses with better access to state government. The new law also anticipates the wave of state government retirements in 2022.

"When we eliminate unnecessary and duplicative processes for businesses, we grow the bench of providers and suppliers the state can work with, particularly in our times of need," said Gene Burk, director of procurement at the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services.

Lamont said that streamlining and modernizing state government operations has been a top priority for his administration.

"Particularly over this last year and a half as we’ve dealt with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen how business relationships and operational processes can mean the world to residents in numerous ways, whether it be through public health initiatives, housing and employment needs, or any number of other issues."