311’s Culture Shift in City Communications Now Aided by AI Artificial intelligence isn’t everywhere yet, but several local governments around the country have either discovered how it can further enable modern 311 or are considering how it could. READ MORE
9 Munis Named What Works Cities for Data-Driven
Governance Results for
A Role Model for the Public Pension
Community Chris Ailman, the chief investment officer for
the giant
Alternative 911
Responses Can Build Trust and Improve Outcomes The vast majority of calls are about distress, not violent
crime. Dispatching social workers and other professionals rather than law
enforcement can improve outcomes in many cases. READ MORE
America's Cable Industry Is on a
Mission to Connect Every Community High-speed internet
access has the power to open up a world of opportunity, and we're committed to
connecting every community. [CONTENT
PROVIDED BY NCTA] LEARN MORE
Backlash Against DEI Spreads to More
States Nearly two dozen states controlled by Republicans
have prohibited or modified diversity, equity and inclusion programs, primarily
in public university systems. One new law led the
Backroom Deals Led to N.J. Gutting
Its Transparency Law Critics say recent changes will make
corruption more likely. Transparency requirements were traded away in a deal
that included a gas tax increase and updates to affordable housing rules. READ MORE
Build a Secure AI Future for Your Agency Discover
how utilizing AI and security can deliver new value to your organization. Chart
a clear path toward improving constituent outcomes with this step-by-step
guide. [CONTENT PROVIDED BY GOOGLE PUBLIC
SECTOR] DOWNLOAD THE WHITEPAPER
Build Responsible AI into App Development Learn
how to apply Responsible AI best practices to build intelligent applications
that improve constituent services with security and compliance at the
foundation. [CONTENT PROVIDED BY MICROSOFT] READ THE GUIDELINES
Built to support mission
response. The advanced network
and technology for first responders. [CONTENT
PROVIDED BY VERIZON] LEARN MORE
CA
to Bar Community Colleges from Replacing Profs With AI A bill approved by the state Senate this week would
specify that community college courses must be taught by qualified human
instructors, although it says nothing about using AI for grading or
tutoring. READ MORE
California Sees Nation’s First
Charges for Telehealth Prescription Scams Two
executives at Done, a California-based telehealth company, were indicted for
allegedly scheming to provide easy access to Adderall and other stimulants to
patients who didn’t need them. READ MORE
City of Pittsburgh Transitions
Online Permitting Platform to Eproval The change was made to better support citizens and city officials in the
permit application process. [CONTENT
PROVIDED BY EPROVAL] READ MORE
Closed
Monday, Cleveland City Hall Confirms Ransomware Attack A
spokeswoman for Mayor Justin Bibb said the breach has been “contained” but
couldn’t say whether the city has agreed to, or will consider, paying the
ransom. The city is working with the Ohio National Guard and the FBI to
investigate. READ MORE
Congress
Probes Microsoft on Exchange Breach, Cyber ‘Failures’ The company CEO acknowledged mistakes and said it
was now making cybersecurity part of all employees’ responsibilities. Some
legislators were skeptical and questioned how to create a more secure
landscape. READ MORE
Cybersecurity, Deepfakes and the Human Risk of AI
Fraud AI-generated cyber attacks and deepfakes mean new
risks and new ways to fight them. "Human risk management" is a term
to describe how organizations train their staff to detect these evolving
threats. READ MORE
Data Helps Shine a Light on Broadband Equity in
Cities Some 75 percent of low-income residents in
Developing Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI At
Microsoft, we are committed to empowering Responsible AI. Read the inaugural
Reponsible AI Transparency Report to learn how we build generative AI
applications, support our customers in their AI journeys, and evolve our
practices. [CONTENT PROVIDED BY MICROSOFT ] READ THE REPORT
Federal
Money at Hand, Colorado Poised to Hear from ISPs Federal
approval of the state’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program smooths
the way for the grant application process to open to Internet service
providers, expected in late summer. READ MORE
General Services Administration Launches AI-Focused
Cohort The federal oversight agency has launched its first
cohort focused on artificial intelligence for its Presidential Innovation Fellows
program, aiming to create a talent pipeline for AI in government. READ MORE
Immigration Detainments Jump More
Than 50 Percent in Georgia The state is jailing 54 percent
more individuals for immigration violations than last year, moving it to fifth
most active among states. Last month, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill that
mandates greater cooperation between local law enforcement and federal
immigration agencies. READ MORE
Last Resort Property Insurance Is a
Disaster for Homeowners Insurance companies have a safety
valve that can spare them some of the costs of disaster relief — but it comes
at the expense of their customers. READ MORE
Los Angeles Schools Consider
Cellphone Ban The school board is expected to vote Tuesday
to ban student use of phones throughout the school day, citing distraction. The
policy would take effect next year. READ MORE
Maryland Gov. Pardons 175K for
Marijuana Possession Monday’s action was one of the largest
mass pardons in
Maryland Launches Push to Widen Accessibility to
State Tech The state has brought together agency leaders to
figure out ways to make its website and digital services more accessible to
people with disabilities. The work reflects wider trends in gov tech, including
public safety. READ MORE
Midyear
Check-In: Top Cybersecurity Predictions for 2024 The Top 24 Security Predictions for 2024: which are
are on track and which seem off base —
so far? And what’s new as we hit the halfway point in the year? READ MORE
Midyear
Gov Tech Market Update — ICYMI Govtech Ventures’ Rachel Stern and Shea and Company’s Jeff Cook
discuss the state of the gov tech market during the first half of 2024. READ MORE
Minnesota’s Inadequate Oversight Led
to $250M Meal Program Fraud The state’s Department of
Education failed to act on warning signs of fraud at the nonprofit Feeding Our
Future and failed, on numerous occasions, to monitor federal dollars. READ MORE
Modernizing Spaces
for a Hybrid Workforce
Montana Creates Emergency
‘Drive-Through’ Blood Pickups for Rural Ambulances Given
driving distances in the vast state, trauma cases are sometimes transported for
more than an hour. One physician compares the first-in-the-nation service to
fast-food drive-throughs. READ MORE
N.Y. Congestion Pricing Reversal Hits Transit in the
Wallet As ridership continues to lag amid a stubbornly slow
recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, cities experiment with free rides and
micromobility to prove public transit’s worth in worsening financial
conditions. READ MORE
New Vehicle-Tracking AI Aims to
Address Privacy Concerns The company
Veritone is set to release a new tool to help law enforcement track vehicles,
part of a broader offering designed to safeguard against facial recognition
bans. A company executive explains the thinking. READ MORE
Nonprofit Offers Free Cybersecurity Consulting to
Public Sector The Center for Internet Security’s
Cybersecurity Advisory Services Program is aimed at helping strengthen
organizations that are involved in elections, health care, education and water
utilities. READ MORE
Northern Arizona University Offers Guidance on AI for
K-12 The university's Arizona Institute for Education and
the Economy reviewed federal guidance, met with leaders across the U.S.,
surveyed Arizona educators, and drafted a guide to AI for teachers, parents and
administrators. READ MORE
Oregon Wants to Invest in Transit.
But With What Money? The current transportation budget
falls short of the state’s litany of needs. As lawmakers prepare to craft a
major transit package next session, they will need to figure out how to
increase revenue streams despite logistical and political challenges. READ MORE
Orlando
Names Deputy Chief Information Officer as New CIO Roberto Lopez has been
with the city more than 20 years, much of that as a computer operations
manager. He replaces Rosa Akhtarkhavari, who stepped down earlier this month
after more than a decade as CIO. READ MORE
Revolutionizing Digital
Identity Verification Discover the latest
trends in digital identity and fraud prevention. Get the comprehensive study
now. ACCESS THE FULL
REPORT
San Jose Approves Encampments to Move
500 Homeless People The City Council has approved a plan to
move individuals now living along waterways to sites throughout the city over
the coming year. The idea is encountering pushback from community
members. READ MORE
Secure AI Leadership for the
Public Sector Securely harness the
power of AI to enhance public services and streamline operations. Chart a clear
path toward improving constituent outcomes with this step-by-step guide. DOWNLOAD THE
WHITEPAPER
See How City of Pittsburgh Officials Are Using Eproval to Streamline Their Permitting Process “Eproval transforms our entire permitting process into one that is more intuitive and straightforward,” says Brian Katze, Manager of the Office of Film and Event Management. [CONTENT PROVIDED BY EPROVAL]
Somebody Dies of an Overdose Every
Five Minutes. States Could Do Much More to Lower That Toll. Instead
of indulging in the sugar high of tough-on-crime legislation, lawmakers should
provide the treatment solutions that dramatically reduce deaths, especially in
correctional settings. READ MORE
State Exec
Named
States Should Think Beyond
Mobile Drivers' Licenses for Digital Identity Other forms of digital ID will also be important for serving
constituents online and preventing fraud. READ MORE
Strengthening
Digital Identity and Preventing Fraud New research from the Center for Digital Government shows
most people prefer to interact with state agencies online. But constituents
also are concerned about identity fraud resulting from these transactions, and
verifying their digital identity is harder than it should be. This paper offers
practical strategies for government leaders and policymakers to simplify
digital identity verification and crack down on identity fraud. DOWNLOAD
Supreme Court Revives Case Claiming
Councilmember's Arrest Was Politically Motivated On
Thursday, the court sided with Sylvia Gonzalez, a former councilmember in a
Ten Features to Look
for in Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) Software This paper covers the top ten features to look for in modern
cost allocation software. DOWNLOAD
The Bus Lines That Can Solve a Bunch
of Urban Problems Many cities view rail transit as an
enticing boost to civic fortunes. But there’s a better, cheaper way to
accomplish the same thing. READ MORE
The Multibillion-Dollar Implications
of EVs for State Budgets It’s not just the decline in fuel
tax revenues and its impact on highway construction and maintenance. Real
estate will also be affected, and sales taxes are likely to take a hit. States
need to begin developing strategies. READ MORE
The State of GovTech
in Justice and Public Safety From tools
that give law enforcement better situational awareness to software that
prepares formerly incarcerated individuals for the workforce, justice and public
safety agencies can take advantage of many new innovations this year. This
paper presents profiles of 12 startup companies that are using technologies
like artificial intelligence and the cloud to help create safer communities. DOWNLOAD
Two Major Cities Are Notching Big
Victories Over Crime
Vermont Legislators Approve 14
Percent Property Tax Increase, Overriding Governor Gov.
Phil Scott argued that residents need tax cuts, not an increase. Legislators
felt they had to act to address increased school spending. READ MORE
What Agencies Should Know About the New Accessibility
Rule The federal Department of Justice’s final rule in
April updated the Americans with Disabilities Act, requiring accessibility for
all government content. Here’s what that means for state and local
entities. READ MORE
What Does the Future of Cybersecurity in Space Look
Like? Defending technology in space requires a range of
strategies, and an open-minded approach is key to preparing for inventive
attackers and an evolving tech environment. A new report aims to help. READ MORE
What Will It Take to Reach Our Goal
of Internet for All?
What’s New in Digital Equity:
Colorado and New Hampshire BEAD Proposals Accepted Plus, Indiana is getting more than $81 million in broadband funding, new
research suggests AI is directly related to digital equity, and more. READ MORE
When $20 Billion
Isn't Enough: Water Infrastructure States are
spending about $20 billion of the flexible funding from the American Rescue
Plan Act on water infrastructure. Demand is expected to grow in coming
years. READ MORE
Why
More Marylanders Are Passing Digitized Driver’s Tests
Why Offshore Wind Power Is Struggling
The industry’s troubles are complicated but it’s far from
dead. Some policy changes may help it find firmer footing. READ MORE
Zencity
Raises $40M to Fund Community Engagement Growth The funding round is relatively unique, according
to one expert, and underscores how community engagement tools are changing as
consumer habits shift. Zencity also released an AI assistant tool for local
governments. READ MORE