Finance committee unanimously cuts DEED dashboard funding, citing lack of deliverable

The House Finance Committee on April 1 unanimously adopted Amendment 54 to eliminate ongoing funding for the Department of Education's student information system and predictive data dashboard, removing the remaining $450,000 of a $900,000 base increment that had been partially cut in subcommittee.

Representative Jimmy, who moved the amendment, said the department has spent about $2.7 million over three years and ‘‘we still haven't seen what it does,’’ arguing the committee should stop funding work that has not produced a public-facing deliverable. Representative Galvin, who had earlier reduced half the funding in subcommittee, said the vendor has focused on ‘‘foundational architecture’’ and a DEED access portal but that public dashboards and consolidated data views are not yet available.

Connor Bell of the Legislative Finance Division testified that the FY24 increment was a $900,000 base item the governor requested to support tracking progress associated with the REEDS Act; Bell said the item was not explicitly in the REEDS Act fiscal note and that the department later requested the increment. Alexi Painter said removing the remaining $450,000 would result in zero ongoing funding for the project unless the department sought funds later in the process.

The clerk called the roll on Amendment 54 and the chair announced the committee ‘‘unanimously adopts amendment 54’’ with an 11–0 vote. Members said the removal is intended to force the department to demonstrate usable products before receiving ongoing funds.

The committee adjourned and will reconvene at 1:30 p.m.