Management

Maine advances privacy law amid new immigration data collection concerns

Maine lawmakers are moving ahead with a plan for a comprehensive data privacy law that would amount to some of the strictest consumer protections in the country.

Digital Government

Report: Steps states can take to navigate HR 1 benefit rules

States are racing against the clock to implement changes to their benefit systems under HR 1. New research from the Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation suggests cross-agency and resident collaboration can help support their efforts.

Sponsor Content

Building public trust in a data-driven government

Each day, government agencies collect millions of data points about the people they serve, from birth certificates to business licenses, tax returns to benefit applications.

Digital Government

Debate intensifies over how to spend leftover BEAD money

One elected leader said Congress needs “more say” on spending, while others said it should stick to its original intent and be used by states to close the digital divide how they see fit.

Artificial Intelligence

Bill targets emotional, sometimes dangerous interactions between Kansans and artificial intelligence

A Kansas bill would stop artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT from encouraging suicide or murder online.

Emerging Tech

Arizona Senate panel advances bill that shields police surveillance cameras from public scrutiny

Republican legislation exempts license plate reader data from public records despite sponsor’s claims about preventing overreach.

Workforce

Job-matching platform continues to keep public servants in public service

A platform launched last year by Work for America is helping state and local governments recruit former federal employees to their agencies.

Artificial Intelligence

Researchers warn of AI, data centers’ water impact

Two separate reports warned the technology and the infrastructure needed to power it could exhaust water supplies. But they said policy could help avert the worst disasters.

Digital Government

Arizona bill would force companies to disclose that digital ‘purchases’ aren’t permanent

Arizona House unanimously passes bill requiring companies to disclose when digital purchases can be altered or revoked.

Management

‘Losing the fight’: Parents urge action as Indiana House revisits youth social media restrictions

Lawmakers are considering a model aimed at parental consent and data regulation — with more onus on social media companies — rather than an outright youth social media ban.

People

Maine secretary of state reflects on a tumultuous period

Shenna Bellows has lived through federal demands for voter data, ICE raids, doxing and more. But with this year’s midterm elections fast approaching, there’s more to do.

Sponsor Content

Navigating pitfalls in government AI adoption

Transformative technologies like generative AI have the potential to tackle some of government’s biggest challenges, but you’ll need a roadmap to get there.

Public Safety

Public outcry over facial recognition technology leads Milwaukee police to ban it, for now

The Milwaukee Police Department has banned use of facial recognition technology, for now, after a contentious public hearing.

Artificial Intelligence

Virginia built the digital capital of the world. Can governance keep pace?

COMMENTARY | How decades of rational decisions built a global data-center hub — and exposed the limits of public planning.

Infrastructure

California city taps AI to improve public bus service and increase ridership

An artificial intelligence-enabled traffic system is helping San Jose better serve residents using public transportation.

Artificial Intelligence

AI moratorium was never a ‘long-term solution,’ lawmaker says

Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., explained that Congress is angling to design a nationwide AI framework that works with state law while offering common guardrails. 

Cybersecurity

After North Carolina cyberattacks, IT officials warn General Assembly of poor preparedness

The state’s systems face more than 10 billion attack attempts each month, a top cybersecurity official told lawmakers.

Digital Government

Libraries help communities weather storms. Many are getting snowed under

COMMENTARY | The recent winter storms showed how vital libraries are, but they are struggling with deferred maintenance and an uncertain funding future.

Public Safety

Public safety thrives on faster, more accurate data management, officials say

Public safety departments in Massachusetts are embracing a more innovative operations platform in order to boost their response times and data capabilities, officials say.