50+ Cities Ditched Parking Minimums. What's Next? Learn what mayors can do after eliminating parking minimums to create thriving cities. Read More
Addressing imposter attorney Internet accounts A recent posting by Rochester, N.Y. attorney Nicole Black on her LawBlog Sui Generis focuses on the views of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Professional Ethics concerning such situations. Click HERE for more.
Advance your AI transformation through skilling Discover essential AI skills for public servants at the Public Sector Center for Digital Skills. EXPLORE THE RESOURCES
AI and Cloud Strategies for
State and Local Agencies This guide
explores how AI-powered tools and cloud infrastructure can help government
agencies overcome the challenges of tight budgets and aging infrastructure.
Case studies from California and Utah demonstrate the transformative impact of
these strategies, saving dollars and accelerating service delivery. DOWNLOAD
AI Disruption: The DeepSeek Effect on Wall Street,
Governments and Beyond The past week has been full of
headlines regarding DeepSeek AI. So what lessons can we learn from this
whirlwind of media stories and the corresponding reactions from governments and
Wall Street? READ MORE
ANNOUNCING CDG-NACo’s Digital
Counties Survey 2025! The Center for Digital
Government and National Association of Counties invite all U.S. counties to
participate in the Digital Counties Survey. DIGITAL COUNTIES
SURVEY ONLINE
Arkansas Bill Would Rename Department
of Transformation A proposed state Senate bill would change the name of the
Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services, and compel creation
of the “Safe Arkansas App.” It would also hone policy on how departments use
tech resources. READ MORE
Arkansas Working Group Calls for
Creating C-Level AI Post The state’s AI and Analytics Center of
Excellence has issued an initial report recommending ways to use the technology
thoughtfully to affect policy, workforce and the economy. It also shows
potential areas of impact. READ MORE
Avoiding an AI-Driven Energy Availability Crisis This thought leadership paper details what state technology leaders need to do to prevent an energy availability crisis as well as any cyberattacks that can threaten the nation's power supply. Read more to find out your state can act now to ensure energy security as GenAI use increases! DOWNLOAD
Building Opportunity: How a Transit Pilot
Transformed Birmingham Discover how city leaders can expand
transit programs to meet demand—without breaking the bank. Learn More
Can a Charter School Be Religious?
The Supreme Court Could Redraw the Lines. At stake in a
case from Oklahoma is whether the court will expand the boundaries of
government aid to faith-based institutions. It would be a sea change in
education law. READ MORE
Can the Minnesota
House Salvage A Bipartisan Session? A tense fight over party control of the Minnesota House ended
with a power-sharing agreement this week. But hard feelings could remain. READ MORE
Cities+Tech:
Digital Cities Winners 2024 (Infographic) In the annual Digital Cities
Survey, top performers are prioritizing cybersecurity and customer experience,
as well as harnessing AI. The following takeaways offer a snapshot view. READ MORE
Collaboration Can Enable an Age of AI Innovation To harness
the transformative power of GenAI, technologists must reimagine traditional
approaches to procurement. READ MORE
Congressional DOGE Panel Prepares for
First Meeting This Week Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene,
who is leading the panel, says her subcommittee will not target Social Security
or Medicaid benefits, but instead focus on fraudulent payments “going to dead
people” and “criminal rings around the world.” READ MORE
Court
Orders NYPD to Disclose Surveillance Tech Contracts New Yorkers
may soon have a much better understanding of how the NYPD uses technology to
conduct surveillance, track cellphones and maintain its facial recognition
database. READ MORE
Customer Experience Guides Pennsylvania’s IT Strategy
Pennsylvania CIO Amaya Capellán and her team are focused on
the overall experience of state employees, residents and businesses. READ MORE
Cyber Breach Exposes Personal, Medical Data in Eight
States A January data breach at
Middletown, Conn.-based Community Health Center Inc. may have exposed medical
records and Social Security numbers of more than 1 million residents there and
in several other states. READ MORE
DeSantis and Florida Lawmakers Reach
Deal on Immigration Enforcement Powers The
compromise ends a two-week feud over a bill GOP lawmakers passed last month
that largely stripped DeSantis of his immigration enforcement powers. READ MORE
Despite Slowing Revenues, Property
Tax Cuts Are All the Rage Most red states are looking to
reduce property tax burdens, which have increased along with home values.
Finding ways of replacing lost revenues remains a challenge. READ MORE
Don’t Let Partisan
Politics Stop Us from Helping Children Excel in School We should hold students to higher expectations and give them
the support they need, and we need to give teachers the resources to do their
job well. Two state lawmakers who started out as teachers have some insights. READ MORE
Drowning in Data, Law Enforcement
Turns to Video Analytics A global survey of law enforcement
reveals the top tech tools, from those empowering criminals to those aiding law
enforcement. The North American data reveals unique challenges and
priorities. READ MORE
Egg Farmers Say They’re Losing the
Battle Against Bird Flu This outbreak feels different from
any other, farmers say. Egg producers and industry groups are begging for a new
prevention strategy. READ MORE
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Every Woman Who Leaves This Texas
Prison Program Comes Out With a Job A re-entry program near
Waco, Texas, has proven successful. Not only does every participant come out
with a job, but their recidivism rate is 73 percent lower than incarcerated
women throughout the state as a whole. READ MORE
Federal Funding for EV
Charging Infrastructure Is Paused The Federal Highway Administration has
announced plans to issue new guidance around the National Electric Vehicle
Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. For now, the move halts aspects of the
initiative. READ MORE
Former Illinois Speaker Madigan Found
Guilty of Corruption Mike Madigan, a former state
Democratic Party chair, had been the longest-serving chamber leader in U.S.
history. A jury has found him guilty of multiple counts in a wide-ranging
bribery scandal. READ MORE
GovAI Coalition Adds a Free Procurement Hub With
Pavilion The coalition is a relatively new but
growing group that promotes the responsible use of AI in the public sector. It
has teamed with Pavilion, which offers a platform for shareable contracts, on
this fresh data-building push. READ MORE
Government Cybersecurity at a Federal/State
Crossroads: How to Engage Now The March 2025 Billington
State and Local CyberSecurity Summit in Washington, D.C., is bringing together
local, state and federal government cybersecurity leaders at a crucial moment
in history. Here’s how. READ MORE
Hardware
Issue Temporarily Halts Indiana Network Traffic State
applications and some websites were unreachable for a time on Thursday after
incoming and outgoing traffic was stopped. Emails emphasized there were no
problems with the apps, or data vulnerabilities. READ MORE
Here’s What Digital Inclusion Looks
Like on the Ground Digital navigators across the country show up for their
communities by teaching the technical skills people need in an increasingly
digital world. READ MORE
How 7 Cities Funded Their New Microtransit Services See the federal, state, and local grants that turn public transit dreams into reality. Read More
How Mayors Use Microtransit to Transform Their Communities Learn how microtransit can help create equitable, livable cities with more job opportunities. Read More
How to Transform
Policing and Regain Public Trust Policing can be reimagined without compromising public
safety, argues Minneapolis’ chief of police. READ MORE
Idaho House Passes Bill Calling for
Firing Squads Five states allow firing squads but
Idaho could become the first to use it as the primary method of execution. READ MORE
In Idaho, IT Consolidation Supports Technological
Advances The process is well underway in the
state, with just three agencies remaining to be consolidated. The undertaking
will support other advances in state technology, in areas including artificial
intelligence and cybersecurity. READ MORE
In Massachusetts, Cybersecurity Is
First a People Issue The state has been successful at reducing its cyber
vulnerabilities by nearly 50 percent in the last year, its CISO said, as it
undertakes a statewide strategy to grow a cybersecurity culture. READ MORE
Involi’s New Drone Surveillance Program Gets Off the
Ground As more police agencies and other operations turn to drones,
the skies are increasingly crowded with the machines. Involi’s new platform,
now operating in Dallas, uses real-time data to help keep those skies safe. READ MORE
Iowa DOGE Task Force to Explore
AI, Automation to Cut Costs Iowa’s
governor believes the state’s government is “too big” and is now following in
the footsteps of the presidential administration by creating a statewide DOGE
task force to reduce spending. READ MORE
Judge Halts NIH Research Cuts
Temporarily After 22 States Sue The
lawsuit was filed by 22 states known for being powerhouses of biomedical
research, including Massachusetts, California, Maryland and New York. READ MORE
L.A. District Sets Aside $2.2 Billion
to Rebuild Schools Voters approved $9 billion in
school construction bonds last fall. The district must rebuild schools
destroyed or damaged by smoke or fire and intends to make them more resilient. READ MORE
Louisiana Commission Denies
Governor’s Request to Cut Civil Service Protections from 900 State Jobs Gov.
Landry’s office says he made the move because the state is having trouble
finding and keeping qualified employees. READ MORE
Louisiana Launches State Division to Lead on AI
Strategy The state economic development agency
has debuted a new division, Louisiana Innovation. Its responsibilities will
include developing the Louisiana Institute for Artificial Intelligence, a
nonprofit. READ MORE
Louisiana
Names Private-Sector IT Veteran as Its New CIO Evelina
Broussard will lead the state’s Office of Technology Services after 28 years
with gas distributor Atmos Energy. Her appointment closely follows the
departure of now-former CIO Derek Williams. READ MORE
Make Sure Your Website Meets Accessibility Standards Accessibility
isn't just a legal obligation—it's an essential part of providing equal access
to services for all. This checklist walks you through specific recommendations
for making your website more usable and compliant. DOWNLOAD
Making the Case for DEI’s Continuing
Value Local officials should go on the offense to protect
important initiatives that have benefited all of us. In particular, they can
enlist businesses that see the benefits of their own diversity initiatives. READ MORE
Mankato,
Minn., Police Look to Expand Video, AI Use Police there are preparing to
use high-definition camera systems, license-plate tracking, software powered by
artificial intelligence and a nationwide law enforcement surveillance
network. READ MORE
Maryland Lawmakers Discuss Voting Access and Election Reforms The proposed measures include a bill allowing incarcerated individuals to register and another that would require ID verification. READ MORE
Miami-Dade Sees Drop in Homelessness
Amid National Rise Homelessness in Miami-Dade County has
fallen to an 11-year low thanks to new shelters, a state law banning public
sleeping, and other measures. READ MORE
Miles
Driven a Key Metric for Road Usage Charge Programs States are
beginning to offer such programs in a pay-as-you-go format, as an alternative
to the flat fees attached to electric vehicle and other high miles-per-gallon
cars that pay little or no gas taxes. READ MORE
Minnesota Contemplates Extending Tax
Breaks for Data Centers Minnesota
lawmakers are under pressure to extend tax breaks for data centers as advocates
say that the emerging industry is poised to grow explosively in the
state. READ MORE
Minnesota County Launches Mobile App to Fight Food Insecurity The Hometown Food Security Project has launched an
innovative mobile app designed to transform how the community addresses food
insecurity. READ MORE
Most Western States Have Eased Zoning
Rules to Promote Housing New Mexico stands out as an
exception, leading to skyrocketing rents and home prices. READ MORE
Need Greater Access
to Housing and Jobs? Jersey City Gives It the One-two-punch. Explore how innovative transit bridges gaps in job and
housing accessibility. Learn More
New ChatGPT Gov Enables Use of Non-Publicly Available
Data ChatGPT Gov is the latest artificial intelligence tool from
OpenAI, geared toward expanded use by government agencies, and offering another
way to access advanced machine learning models. READ MORE
New Michigan House Elections Chair Is
an Election Denier GOP state Rep. Rachelle Smit, a
former local clerk, continues to spout false claims about the 2020 election.
She’s now the chair of the Michigan House’s newly renamed Election Integrity
Committee. READ MORE
New York's Proposed Budget Would Add IT Staff for
Cyber, AI The Empire State’s fiscal year 2026
budget would, if approved by the state Legislature, add hundreds of employees
to the IT workforce, to help the government be more efficient and use tech
better in serving constituents. READ MORE
NYC Commits to Harnessing AI, Announces OpenAI
Partnership A new report lays out the strategy of
the city and the New York City Economic Development Corp. in leading on applied
artificial intelligence. Goals include fostering a dynamic AI ecosystem. READ MORE
NYC
Expands Remote Work, Houston Returns to the Office As federal
workers return to the office, remote work continues in some large cities. In
Houston, employees were called back onsite last month; and in Texas, the matter
remains a topic of discussion. READ MORE
Ohio Chamber Emerges as Unexpected
Ally for Solar Projects The business group has sided with
solar developers in multiple court cases and supports efforts to overhaul a
state law that lets townships and counties block siting decisions. READ MORE
Oklahoma
Using AI to Simplify Procurement, Save Money By using digital twins and
integrating artificial intelligence into its procurement process, the state has
been able to cut inefficiencies, get better pricing and drive
transparency. READ MORE
OpenGov Builds AI, Workflow Power Via Ignatius
Acquisition OpenGov, which gained major backing
last year from Cox Enterprises, has made its 10th acquisition. Ignatius
technology helps public agencies deal with grants, infrastructure, compliance
and disaster-related operations. READ MORE
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Outdated Printers Are Costing
You - Here's How to Fix That Watch this
on-demand webinar to learn how to make your print environment more secure and
efficient. WATCH NOW
Phoenix Privacy Officer Plans Cultural Shift in
Protection The city’s inaugural Chief Privacy
Officer Ciara Maerowitz is working to weave privacy into processes, get risk
assessments done, and promote a culture of responsible data use and
transparency in public services. READ MORE
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Republican State Lawmakers Embrace
RFK Jr.’s Health Policies State lawmakers have
introduced bills to limit SNAP benefits, change vaccine policies and ban
fluoride in public water. READ MORE
See the Unseen: How Video
Analytics Enhances Public Safety See how video analytics empowers public safety teams with real-time
insights, helping to reduce crime, manage crowds, and ensure community safety. DOWNLOAD
Seguin,
Texas, Uses AI, Data Storage to Enhance Cyber Playbook The city has
strengthened its cybersecurity efforts, using artificial intelligence to
analyze more than 1 million pieces of incoming communication and protecting
employees from impersonation attempts and data theft. READ MORE
Silicon Valley Takes a Bite Out of Congestion With Its Expanded Microtransit Network The city's 'Silicon Valley Hopper' service uses the latest transit tech to increase adoption. Learn 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 More
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Solutions for Forward-Thinking Cities Transform your city with transit systems designed for
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Some California Prosecutors Struggle
to Comply with New ‘Race Blind’ Charging Rule In most
cases, a lack of funding and difficulties implementing new technologies were at
the root of their problems, prosecutors said. READ MORE
State of the States 2025: Does IT Make Governors'
Agendas? If there was a universal theme in 2025
speeches, it was smartphone bans in schools. But governors also outlined plans
and accomplishments in cybersecurity, modernization and digital government. READ MORE
Tech to the Rescue: Smart Solutions for Disaster Response Uncover how cutting-edge technology supports disaster management at every stage—from early detection to post-disaster recovery. DOWNLOAD
Texas Could Sell 100 Miles of Borderland to the Feds, Gov. Abbott Says Abbott is in Washington this week to lobby Congress for $11 billion to compensate Texas for money spent on immigration enforcement. READ MORE
Texas Gov. Abbott Calls for Creation of New Cyber
Command The Texas Cyber Command would work closely with state
agencies, universities and Regional Security Operation Centers to improve
cybersecurity. Gov. Greg Abbott announced it during his State of the State
address Sunday. READ MORE
Texas Port’s Digital Twin Enables Real-Time Activity
Display Officials at the port of Corpus Christi, Texas, have used
generative artificial intelligence, geospatial data and a video game engine to
show work as it happens in 3D, internally and to law enforcement. READ MORE
Texas’ New House Speaker Aims to
Unite the State’s Most Powerful Republicans Rep.
Dustin Burrows is looking to change the dynamic among the "Big Three"
– the governor, Lt. governor, and the House speaker – this session. READ MORE
The Cyber Threats That Will
Define 2025 - And How to Prepare This report breaks down the three biggest cybersecurity threats of 2025
and what te and local governments need to do now to stay ahead. DOWNLOAD
To Boost EV Charging Infrastructure, Open Tesla Plug Access A new report details how opening Tesla’s Supercharger network to all electric vehicles could increase the total number of available charging ports, without requiring the development of new sites. READ MORE
Trump Resets AI Policy to Rely on
Private Sector Trump repealed a Biden order calling for
protection against bias. While companies welcome deregulation, some are
concerned about the administration's six-month timeline to reshape guidelines. READ MORE
Trump Should Reshape FEMA, Not Kill
It Solutions include funding the federal agency properly,
requiring states to share a larger burden of the responsibility and removing
barriers to resilience. READ MORE
Virginia’s Free Clinics Fear a
Medicaid Rollback Demand for their services is expected to
rise, but local clinics worry about the potential impact of Medicaid cuts at
the federal level that could cause people to lose access to health care. READ MORE
Visually Impaired Washington, D.C., Metro Riders Can
Now Use Waymap The company’s new step-by-step
wayfinding app is available to users of the Washington, D.C., transit system.
It spans 11,000 bus stops on 325 routes, as well as 93 rail stations, and does
not collect personal data. READ MORE
We Need Better Data to Combat
Homelessness Tools are available to not only count people
experiencing homelessness more accurately but also to provide them with
individualized services. More municipalities should use them. READ MORE
West Sacramento
Mayor Says Microtransit Brings Tax Revenue to the City Mayor Guerrero presented data from the transit program
alongside Via at the 2024 U.S. Conference of Mayors summit. Read More
What Federal Data Purges Mean for
State and Local Government Caught in data turbulence, local and
state government must adapt to changes in federal transparency — or face data
bias. A new landscape raises questions about the future of open data and
evidence-based policymaking. READ MORE
What Trump’s Offshore Wind Energy
Freeze Could Cost States If it remains in place, the
president’s order will add deep uncertainty to the future of a nascent industry
that could provide tens of thousands of jobs and significant clean energy that
the grid requires. READ MORE
What’s New
in Digital Equity: Meet Trump’s NTIA Lead Plus, Elon Musk has made a
cryptic statement about the future of GSA’s 18F team and the Direct File
program, Maryland has established a statewide digital infrastructure group, and
more. READ MORE
Where’s DeepSeek Banned? The States Blocking Chinese-Made AI
States are increasingly banning DeepSeek AI on government devices, citing cybersecurity and data privacy concerns. Some cybersecurity experts question if the state bans will do enough to protect American data. READ MORE
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