Funny i couldn’t get a job 15 years ago and moved to the user side and managed a huge payment system. even certified as a java programmer. If i were to work for the state of PA i would probably sabotage all of their applications. put in time stops like the year 2000.
You have to remember the mentality of an IT group that still uses COBOL.
The obviously are not amiable to change of any kind and are totally risk averse.
The first change to be made are get rid of those assholes. Then you may get some good ideas.