Ask about the problems that could arise from not addressing the year
2000 programming issue properly, and you might start feeling as though
you’re listening to the twisted plot of an Oliver Stone film: bottomed-
out bank accounts, frozen ATM machines, grounded elevators, darkened
street and traffic lights.
It all sounds like the outcome of an elaborate conspiracy.
Most business executives and government officials acknowledge there is
some real threat of Y2K fallout; but there is no consensus on what will
happen if, when Jan. 1, 2000, finally arrives, computer programs can’t
handle the date change.
Barbara Weaver, Rhode Island’s chief information officer, doesn’t
foresee a doomsday scenario, despite the fact some state government
systems will not be fixed before the deadline.
Weaver was put in charge of overseeing state government’s Y2K repair
efforts through a Jan. 1997 order issued by Gov. Almond.
Crucial systems are expected to be fixed in time to avoid major crisis.
“There’s going to be some inconvenience,” said Weaver, adding she feels
an analogy likening Y2K to a “major snowstorm” is appropriate. “I really
don’t think it’s much different than anything else that could happen in
Rhode Island in January.”
“We need to make sure everybody understands that some systems will fail;
we’ve specifically prioritized what systems we will pay attention to,”
she said.
Establishing a priority list for Y2K repair jobs was necessary because
of limited resources, Weaver explained. Computers used for payroll and
taxes should be fixed in time, as well as any system that could pose a
threat to public safety.
Many departments began working on solving the problem before Gov. Almond
issued his executive order, Weaver said. The Department of Corrections,
for example, started early because it uses computers to track prison
sentences, she said.
Some systems are already considered Y2K-ready.
The Department of Human Services’ Medicaid management system and the
Department of Motor Vehicles’ system are both new, and the manufacturers
have guaranteed them, according to Weaver.
But there’s still a lot of work to do, including completing an inventory
of equipment that depends on embedded processors, such as elevators,
traffic signals, and heating and ventilation systems.
So far the state has dedicated about $3.5 million for the Y2K efforts,
which has paid for a coordinator’s position, consultants, and about $2.5
million in grants to various departments, Weaver said. Those figures
don’t represent operating budget money used by the information
technology staff and other departments, Weaver added.
Among the grants approved, according to the state’s Y2K Web site:
$117,500 to the Department of Health for new biomedical testing
equipment and $12,500 to the University of Rhode Island to staff a help
desk line. More than $2 million in grant requests remain.
She plans to request another $2.5 million this fiscal year to fund the
remaining grant requests, and to ask for another $2.5 million next
fiscal year. To cover unanticipated costs that could arise over the next
year or so, Weaver said she may ask the General Assembly to approve a
contingency fund.
A report made public by the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council last
month, and given to state officials in October, was critical of some of
the state’s efforts so far. RIPEC is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan
watchdog group.
“State government has made progress identifying potential Y2K problems
and developing solutions to avoid complications associated with internal
computer systems (e.g., desk-top computers, mainframe systems). The
State appears less prepared, however, to deal with issues that may arise
concerning infrastructure (e.g., security systems, heating and
ventilation) and external data interchanges,” the RIPEC report states.
Among the RIPEC report recommendations: establishing a senior-level task
force, requiring agencies to submit monthly status reports, planning
General Assembly hearings, developing contingency plans, and reviewing
the state’s legal liability.
“We think that there needs to be monthly reporting done to a senior-
level task force. We’re not seeking to create more bureaucracy; we’re
just seeking to create more formalized reporting so the state will know
where to focus their efforts,” said Robert L. Carey, RIPEC’s director of
research.
The state has already implemented several of RIPEC’s suggestions.
Although Weaver said they’ve begun developing oversight panels, she
indicated they won’t be structured exactly the way RIPEC would like.
“We’re really doing it by area of concern,” she explained. “People who
are concerned about emergency management are not the same people who are
concerned about our core systems.”
Using the state police as an example, Weaver said, officials there are
looking at issues of community safety. “What if none of the street
lights work? Do they have enough police (officers) to direct the
traffic? They’re interested in that portion of it.”
Contingency plans will also be expedited now that the state has obtained
legal counsel to help examine its areas of liability, she added.
But should Rhode Islanders be scared if it doesn’t all get fixed in
time?
Carey said: “I hope not. It’s one of these things, I guess you will not
know until it’s too late almost.
