Governor McKee Highlights 2023 Rhode Island Department of Administration Accomplishments Published on Friday, December 29, 2023 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Administration are highlighting the year-in-review list of departmental achievements for 2023, including making financial decisions to bolster the State of Rhode Island’s overall fiscal health and strategic investments to support the well-being of Rhode Islanders. “Our administration has made sound financial choices to help reduce our debt and improve our economic outlook. We have also positioned Rhode Island for future success by making strong investments in its workforce, facilities and technology,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I am proud of all the work this Department has done during the past year to improve business processes, implement sound fiscal strategy and help make government work better for Rhode Islanders,” said Jonathan Womer, Director of Administration. “Some of the Department’s most transformative work is continuing behind the scenes, where our team is working to eliminate antiquated, paper-based processes and build a robust, modern and streamlined system to manage our day-to-day human resource, payroll and finance operations.” Ratings S&P Global, Moody’s and Fitch have all rated Rhode Island as an investment grade opportunity, with Fitch upgrading the State’s outlook from stable to positive. Along with other strategic financial decisions, the Department of Administration made a $62 million supplemental contribution to the State’s pension fund to lower pension liability – a liability remaining from when the State’s contributions to the fund were deferred in the 1990s. Pandemic Recovery Office The State’s Pandemic Recovery Office approved 71 State Fiscal Recovery Fund projects through the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, totaling $916 million. These include investments in priority areas, such as housing, small businesses, nonprofits, health care facilities, and workforce training and retention initiatives. HealthSource RI HealthSource RI (HSRI), one of 18 state-based health insurance marketplaces in the nation, launched an automatic enrollment program to help Rhode Islanders avoid unnecessary gaps in health coverage that could occur due to the Medicaid renewal process. Medicaid renewals, which paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, commenced earlier this year for the first time in more than three years. From May 31 to October 31, approximately 5,000 individuals continued their coverage via automatic and active enrollments in plans offered through HSRI. More than 1,800 of those customers automatically enrolled with two months of premium support, which allows for a zero-cost transition to coverage through HSRI. Rhode Island State Health Lab In support of the State’s investments in the life sciences sector, the Department played a key role with the RI Department of Health and the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission in enabling the ongoing construction of the Rhode Island State Health Lab. When completed, the state-of-the-art lab will be a key part of the larger development at 150 Richmond Street, dedicated to scientific innovation that will support the health and well-being of Rhode Islanders and further the State’s economic objectives. State House Cleaning/Independent Man Restoration The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance is administering a capital project that involves cleaning the State House marble, funded through the Rhode Island Capital Asset Protection Program (RICAP). The project is expected to be completed in early 2024. Additionally, DOA led efforts to safely secure the Independent Man after significant damage to the statute's base was discovered. For the first time in nearly 50 years, the statue was removed from the State House dome for the public to enjoy and it will soon be transported to undergo an historic preservation process. Enterprise Resource Planning System The State has invested in modernizing the Department of Administration’s business functions. With collaboration from the Enterprise Technology Strategy and Services, Human Resources, and Accounts & Controls divisions, is the Department will be implementing the Enterprise Resource Planning system, which aims to streamline and automate human resources, financial and payroll functions. The project is in its second of four phases and is expected to begin the next phase of operations in the second half of Fiscal Year 2025. The Department of Administration’s principal responsibilities include determining and maintaining standard specifications for purchases, contracts, bids, and awards for state purchases; implementing technology solutions; maintaining and procuring state facilities; administering the annual budget process; administering the statewide planning program; and managing the personnel of state departments and agencies. It also provides support to its departments, divisions, and agencies, which administer programs, resources, and services, while ensuring accountability of and value for public dollars. Learn more about the Department of Administration, and its state agencies, departments and divisions, by visiting https://admin.ri.gov/. ###