Links to selected items focusing on govenmental operations posted on the Internet during the week ending December 6, 2024

A different health insurance company scam  "Ghost Networks" – provider directories which list doctors who supposedly accept the health insurance plans listed but don't. See New York attorney Steve Cohen's article about these scams, "Haunted by Ghost Networks," published on the Internet in KevinMD.com by clicking READ THE ARTICLE HERE

 

About the admissibility of AI evidence  A New York Surrogates Court addresses the admissibility of AI evidence. Posted on the Internet by Nicole Black, a Rochester, New York attorney. For more click HERE.

 

Actually, Pardons Aren’t Issued Often Enough  Fearing political backlash, governors use their clemency powers far less than they once did. But it’s a powerful tool for addressing injustice.  READ MORE

 

Adults Struggle in One of Nation’s Richest States  In Connecticut, 40 percent say they’re either struggling or just getting by financially.  READ MORE

AI is an Energy Hog, and Government Needs to be Aware  The environmental costs of using artificial intelligence tools is an area of growing concern for government technology officials. Transparency from vendors can shed light on their energy and water usage. READ MORE

 

AI Takes Center Stage at New York School Boards Convention  The New York State School Boards Association convention featured a keynote speech by an AI-driven robot and discussions about creating IEPs and lesson plans. READ MORE

At a Glance: Digital States Awards 2024 (Infographic)  In the biannual Digital States Survey, top performers are prioritizing cybersecurity and constituent services, as well as harnessing AI. The following takeaways offer a snapshot view. READ MORE

Austin Responds to Inflammatory AI-Generated Public Comment  Officials in Austin, Texas, received a racially targeted public comment during a recent City Council meeting, generated by artificial intelligence. They are now working to ensure this time is reserved for actual constituents.  READ MORE

 

Auto Insurers to Pay $11M+ to N.Y. State After Cyber Attack  GEICO and Travelers, the national insurance companies, will pay the penalties for poor data security. A 2020 cyber attack that leaked data from more than 120,000 New York customers enabled hackers to use that information to file fraudulent unemployment claims. READ MORE

 

Bureaucracy-Tangled Federal Fire Managers Are Failing the States  Wildfires will continue to rage out of control unless federal forest managers learn from Western states how to properly steward public lands and contain their fires.  READ MORE

 

California Utilities Produce More Solar Energy Than the State Can Use  Solar farms are being shut off, losing more than twice as much potential power than in 2021. The surplus would be worse if utilities weren’t paying other states to take some of the excess.  READ MORE

 

Charlotte, N.C., Appoints Markell Storay as City CIO He takes over for Reenie Askew, who had held the job since 2019. Charlotte has recently won recognition for its technology leadership, and Storay brings both city and federal experience to his new job. READ MORE

 

CISA Learning Offers Cyber Training for Government Staff, Veterans and More  The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is launching CISA Learning, a new learning management platform to help with cybersecurity training and much more. READ MORE

 

Cities Cut Red Tape to Promote Office-to-Housing Conversions  With a fifth of the nation’s office space sitting empty, cities from Atlanta to Seattle are easing or ending regulations to make conversions more affordable and therefore more likely.  READ MORE

Climate Change Tech, Research Faces Challenge The 2024 Republican platform could have a ripple effect on climate change research. Two California university researchers say the next four years will be stressful, but technological innovations give them hope. READ MORE

 

Connecticut City Could Use AI for Police Field Reports  The City Council in Meriden, Conn., voted to increase its body camera, taser and training budget to allow for an artificial intelligence program that, among other things, quickens police report writing. READ MORE

 

Could Robots Be the First Responders of the Future?  Humanoid robots could offer valuable support before human first responders arrive on the site of an emergency. The Italian Institute of Technology has a prototype in the works. READ MORE

 

Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Under Trump  The president-elect is expected to take a predominantly deregulatory approach to technology, and to aggressively pursue foreign cyber threat actors. He returns to office in a time of international tension in cyber space. READ MORE

 

Denver’s New CISO Prioritizes People to Bolster Security  Denver appointed a new chief information security officer, Merlin Namuth, in October. He is building relationships as the foundation for a people-centered approach to cybersecurity in the city and county. READ MORE

 

Do You Trust Your Mass Notification Capabilities?  When It Counts the Most, Be Confident in Your Emergency Notifications  Get the eBook

 

Does Tennessee’s Ban on Transgender Care Violate the Constitution? The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Wednesday in a case contending the ban violates the Equal Protection clause. If the Court upholds the law, Congress could pass a national ban.  READ MORE

 

DOGE Can Work By Sending Power to the States The way to make the federal government more efficient on a permanent basis is not one-time cuts but devolving authority over many programs to state governments. READ MORE

 

Eliminating Weak Links: Securing Evolving IT Landscapes  In today's fast-changing environment, modern solutions are needed to strengthen security, improve visibility and simplify administration across networks, clouds, applications, users and endpoints.  DOWNLOAD

 

Executing Organizational Change Management for System Implementations  OCM increases the success of new system implementations, business processes, and organizational structures. DOWNLOAD NOW

 

Facing $1.5B Budget Hole, San Diego Considers Emergency Cuts The city’s finances were already in poor shape but suffered a blow last month when voters rejected a $400 million-per-year sales tax hike. READ MORE

 

Few States Still Require High School Graduation Exams  Last month, Massachusetts voters approved a measure ending the requirement that students pass a test to graduate. In 2012, half the states required such tests, but the number will soon drop to a half-dozen.  READ MORE

 

Free Template: Crisis Management and Communications Plan  Rely on a structured, proven, preestablished crisis management and communication plan designed specifically for your municipality.  Download Toolkit

 

FTC Slams Weapons-Detection Tech Firm Evolv for Marketing  The federal agency accused the company of making false claims about its tools, which are used in schools and by public transit. The company denies wrongdoing but might have to let some clients cancel contracts. READ MORE

 

Generative AI in Patent Drafting and Prosecution  Designed for attorneys interested in integrating AI into their legal work. The webinar covers several key areas: An introduction to AI's impact on legal practice An overview of various AI tools available for legal.  View More

 

GovTech Leaders Building Stronger Communities  Find out why your organization may want to partner with these leaders to transform your operations and services! DOWNLOAD PAPER

 

Hackers Steal $950K from Marin County, Calif., Housing Authority  Jason Balderama, a county technology official, has started working as a consultant for the housing authority to coordinate the investigation and advise on how to strengthen its Internet defenses. READ MORE

 

Higher Ed Changes Loom Under a Second Trump Administration  Trump has vowed to eliminate the Department of Education in his second term. Even if he stops short, the administration will bring policy changes to colleges and universities and new scrutiny to diversity, equity and inclusion policies.  READ MORE 

 

Homebound Seniors Living Alone Slip Through Health System's Cracks  Far more seniors live by themselves and can only leave their homes with difficulty than live in nursing homes, yet they receive less policy attention. That can lead to bad health outcomes.  READ MORE

 

How AI Could Help Victims of Domestic Violence, Other Crimes  With more than 10 million people physically abused by an intimate partner each year, according to statistics, domestic violence experts and software developers say artificial intelligence can help. READ MORE

 

How Community College ‘Deserts’ Deter Students from Getting a Degree Black and Hispanic high schoolers in Texas who have to drive more than 30 minutes to a community college are more likely to forego college altogether, a new report finds.  READ MORE

 

How Governments and Businesses Can Team Up for Weather Resilience  Find out how to kickstart collaboration, break down information silos, and pool resources to boost resilience and keep everyone safe when storms strike.  DOWNLOAD

 

How Smart Governments Are Cutting Costs While Better Engaging Residents  Your boss will love you when you provide these cost-cutting solutions. Learn to harness the power of digital government and its digital channels to engage residents better and reduce bottom-line expenses.  Download Now

 

How to Implement AI in State and Local Government  Artificial intelligence (AI) holds limitless potential for agencies when it comes to enhancing operations, managing data and improving constituent experiences, but many governments don't know where to start. This brief explains how agencies can start using AI, why the cloud is important, and what needs to be done around data governance.  DOWNLOAD

 

How U.S. Cities Can ‘Upzone’ Without Compromising Affordability  Critics of liberalizing housing construction are concerned that looser zoning rules could make existing houses more expensive. Fortunately, this worry is somewhat overblown.  READ MORE

 

How Your Data Strategy Leads to Better AI This paper highlights the necessity for a unified data strategy in state and local government to facilitate effective AI implementation. Fragmented data systems create barriers to AI by complicating data access, management, and security. DOWNLOAD

 

Indiana Expands Cyber Analysis to Include Water Facilities  The state is broadening a cybersecurity vulnerability assessment program to include water and wastewater utilities. Officials aim to do at least 342 tailored security examinations by 2026 to help local governments. READ MORE

 

Intel Gets CHIPS Act Funding for Ohio Semiconductor Plants  The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded Intel more than $7.8 billion under the CHIPS incentives initiatives for commercial fabrication facilities. The company has said it needs the money to build semiconductor fabrications plants in the Columbus, Ohio, area.  READ MORE

 

Iowa Gov. Seeks to Ban Cellphone Use in Schools  Gov. Kim Reynolds praises districts that have already restricted phones but says a statewide ban will be a 2025 priority. Such policies around the country have run into problems with courts.  READ MORE

 

Is a Bus Ticket Home a Solution for Homelessness?  Cities in California and other states offer unhoused people transportation to somewhere else. But the number of people who can benefit is small, and it’s hard to tell what happens to them where they end up. READ MORE

 

Keeping up With Cybersecurity Threats Across Government Systems  How agencies are evolving to address cybersecurity threats and safeguard against vulnerabilities.  DOWNLOAD NOW

 

Kentucky Program Teaches Students How to Hear Different Opinions  The program brings together students from four universities. Coming from different backgrounds, they learn how to interact respectfully and absorb challenging perspectives.  READ MORE

 

Labor’s Future After Wisconsin Anti-Union Law Struck Down  A judge has ruled unconstitutional the core of Act 10, the state’s famous 2011 law that ended collective bargaining for most public employees. Republican legislators vowed to appeal the decision. READ MORE

 

Life Experiences That Impact Lifetime Income  We analyzed hundreds of research studies and surveyed thousands of Americans to understand economic mobility. SEE THE RESULTS

 

Make Redesigning Your Website Fast and Easy  Ready to elevate your community's online presence? Download our comprehensive website redesign kit to get expert advice, tailored timelines, and scalable solutions for cities and counties of any size!  Get My Checklist

 

N.J. AI Task Force Report Addresses Workforce, Innovation Created by Gov. Phil Murphy in October 2023, the group wrapped up last month by issuing a required report with recommendations. It could be re-formed if needed, but the state’s work in artificial intelligence continues. READ MORE

 

New NIST Guidance Offers Update on Gauging Cyber Performance The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released an updated edition of a publication that covers running a program to measure cybersecurity performance, and choosing what to measure. READ MORE

 

Number of Young Offenders Receiving Diversion Offers Doubles in South Dakota  Thanks to new funding from the state, county diversion programs for juveniles have increased dramatically. A new report finds that they’re successful more than 80 percent of the time.  READ MORE

 

NYC Moves to 3D Records for Property Valuation  New York City’s latest migration from 2D to 3D records helps remove frustrating delays and ambiguity in the complex property tax system.  READ MORE

 

Overcoming AI Risks, Workforce Challenges in Cybersecurity An expert offers insights on how government agencies, frequent targets online, can safeguard critical infrastructure and future-proof their cybersecurity. READ MORE

 

Pennsylvania Props Up Transit Systems Across State  Big city transit systems receive more than half their operational funds from the state. That’s a far higher percentage than Boston, Chicago or New York.  READ MORE

 

Pennsylvania Still Struggles to Attract New Businesses  There’s a lot of talk in Harrisburg about reducing regulations, but much of the economic development effort still focuses on tax credits. Four different programs meant to draw businesses have little to no participants.  READ MORE

 

Philadelphia Rethinks Its Approach to Public Housing  After tearing down high-rises and building more townhomes, the city is trying a mixed-used approach that blends towers with other amenities.  READ MORE

 

Portland, Ore., Man With Autonomous Vehicle Suit  His lawsuit, filed last week, alleges a Tesla in self-driving mode ran through a stop sign and broadsided his car; it’s one of the first of its kind in Oregon. The suit, however, does not list Tesla as a defendant.  READ MORE

 

Providing Cloud-Enabled Assistance to Empower Government  This thought leadership paper covers how these five govtech leaders have enhanced healthcare, public safety, transportation, agency processes and more.  DOWNLOAD NOW

 

Recreation Management software:  To access a self-guided demonstration of this program click HERE.

 

Rural City Embraces Art as a Prescription for Community Health 
Evidence is growing that participation in art has public health benefits. Rhinelander, Wis., is using it as a remedy for social isolation. READ MORE

 

Seattle Area Buses Deploy AI Cameras to Spot Lane Violations  Last month, King County Metro started a pilot project mounting cameras equipped with artificial intelligence on two buses to watch for drivers in transit-only lanes. READ MORE

 

Sioux Falls’ Mayor: “This could not be going better.”  The city's new tech-enabled transit service is winning over residents and city leaders alike. READ NOW

 

Some municipalities may waive imposing court sentences on homeless people  Mostly adopted in Central Florida, this new procedure allows prosecutors to waive court sentences in exchange for homeless people getting treatment, housing and jobs.  READ MORE

 

Snow Emergency Closes Government Offices in Ohio Mountains of snow continue to provide problems for area governments, school districts and residents, as more than three feet of snow accumulated across the northern parts of Ashtabula County. READ MORE

 

Spatial Infrastructure: How GIS Data Can Transform Government Operations  Embracing spatial infrastructure can help state and local governments by enhancing GIS data integration with everyday technologies and systems. This paper explains spatial infrastructure and explores use cases where it can improve government operations.  DOWNLOAD

 

Stanford Case Study Probes Positive Change at Calif. DMV  The report examines how the once-beleaguered state Department of Motor Vehicles has, under the leadership of Director Steve Gordon since 2019, transformed many processes, migrated transactions online and eased public interactions. READ MORE

State-Provided Software Helped Stop Cyber Attack in Texas  According to city of Odessa officials, state-provided software meant to enhance cybersecurity effectively protected city systems, and staff is now restoring operations using secure backups. READ MORE

 

Steps for Getting Started with AI Chatbots Real-world government examples show how AI chatbots can transform service delivery for constituents and improve efficiency for public sector employees. DOWNLOAD

 

Strengthening Multicloud Security in Government  Learn how a CNAPP empowers governments with visibility, automation, and Zero Trust strategies to protect against evolving cloud security risks. DOWNLOAD PAPER

 

Tech-Powered Transit Wins Big in 2024 Election  One encouraging trend from the ballot box: major transit measures won, including expanding on-demand microtransit. READ NOW

 

Texas Tech Discloses Cyber Attack on Health Sciences Centers  A cyber attack on Texas Tech University's health sciences centers in September resulted in access to, or removal of, files containing private data such as names, birthdates, financial accounts and medical information. READ MORE

 

The Digital Public Sector of the Future  This paper explores the many ways state and local governments can address their biggest digital transformation challenges. Read more to find out which tools can help your organization become more efficient, cost-effective and secure! DOWNLOAD

 

The Steps That Can Achieve Real Government Efficiency  It makes sense that the Trump administration is looking for ways to cut spending. But the way they’re going about it is all wrong. READ MORE

 

Thinking Twice About Sales Tax Holidays  ’Tis the season: State politicians love to proclaim temporary tax respites, but they rarely achieve their stated objective of boosting economic activity. Poor timing, poor design — or just a bad idea?   READ MORE

 

Three Steps for Getting Started with AI Chatbots  Real-world government examples show how AI chatbots can transform service delivery for constituents and improve efficiency for public sector employees. DOWNLOAD

 

UCLA Wireless Bus Charging Project Aims for Broader Impact  The endeavor, on the University of California, Los Angeles campus, is intended to make charging seamless. Its infrastructure, to be in place by the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, could be used by numerous transit operators. READ MORE

 

Using AI for Public Sector Cybersecurity  This rapid roadmap details how AI strengthens security, outlines the major AI security challenges and explains how you can measure your cyber progress.  DOWNLOAD

 

Ways to Get Ready for AI in Transportation  Based on meetings that involved public sector transportation leaders, this thought leadership paper covers the steps transportation agencies need to take in four areas: data, workforce, cybersecurity and collaboration. DOWNLOAD

 

Westmoreland County, Pa., Chip Maker to Get $3M from Feds  The award, part of the federal CHIPS Act, will aid a company in business since 1986. Powerex may be one of the last such vertically integrated entities in the U.S., creating silicon chips for power systems in MRI machines and elsewhere. READ MORE

 

What Lies Ahead for Local Environmental Policies  The Trump administration is likely to reverse some climate policies but local officials are determined to continue addressing impacts on their communities. READ MORE

What’s New in Digital Equity: San Diego Creates Master Plan  Plus, Kansas will soon open funding applications to expand connectivity, a Colorado county is receiving federal funding for broadband, the economic benefits of improving Internet access in Harlan County, Ky., and more. READ MORE

 

What’s New in Digital Equity: U.S. Supreme Court Addresses USF  Plus, more states have been awarded federal funding from the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and the city of Boulder, Colo., has announced a new partnership to expand community broadband.  READ MORE