Oregon Public Broadcasting

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Revenue is still planning a major upgrade to its computer system. But key lawmakers are reacting positively to news this week that the agency has put the overhaul on hold for now.

The Department wants to upgrade its 20-year-old central computer system. The agency says the overhaul is long overdue in order to efficiently and effectively process billions of dollars of tax returns each year.

But the $100 million upgrade was put on ice for at least a year due in part to concerns that a tight budget leaves little room for error.

That decision was welcome news to Democratic Senator Richard Devlin. He's the Senate chair of a legislative panel that oversees state computer systems.

"Information technology projects are important, but it's very important they be done right," Devlin says. "I think sometimes you don't want to advance into a project faster than is appropriate."

A Department of Revenue spokesman emphasized the agency hasn't canceled the upgrade. Derrick Gasperini says some prep work will continue. Once it begins, the computer overhaul is expected to take five to seven years.

Copyright 2012 Northwest News Network

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