Digital Government
Financial watchdog urges NYC schools to withdraw $1.9 million proposal for AI reading tutor
“Before we spend millions on an AI program that could shape our kindergartners’ reading abilities, let’s make sure we’re doing this right,” Comptroller Brad Lander said.
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Eliminate Manual Processes Route and Approve Invoices from Anywhere
Today’s finance teams carry a heavy burden, supporting everything from growth strategies to long-term planning – all while continuously delivering monthly and quarterly numbers and keeping cash flowing. But even as demands on finance departments grow, many still spend excessive time using paper, spreadsheets, and e-mails to process vendor invoices, approvals, and payments.
SNAP theft reimbursements could end for many without congressional action by Friday
Senators are also urging the Agriculture Department to speed up its rulemaking around card security that could help prevent the problem.
6 considerations for states’ digital accessibility roadmaps
COMMENTARY | The Department of Justice’s final rule on website accessibility is now in effect. Governments must act now to develop a strategy.
California bill would add warning labels to social media platforms
The proposal would warn users of the potential mental health impacts, but opponents say the plan will once again fall foul of the First Amendment’s free speech protections.
Report: Electronic case reporting helped states during the pandemic — they need to use it more
A new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts highlights an emerging method for improving the sharing and use of public health data.
Republican lawmakers ask Trump to kill IRS Direct File
The new program intended to enable free, online tax filing directly with the government has garnered controversy and praise since its inception.
‘Individualized’ government tech could improve customer experience, Florida official says
Rich Evans, CIO of Florida’s Department of Management Services, said during a recent workshop the public sector should embrace emerging technologies as a way of better serving constituents.
Democrats push to protect the data privacy of people seeking abortions
In Congress, Sen. Elizabeth Warren plans to reintroduce legislation to ban data brokers from selling consumers’ health and location data. A similar effort is underway in Michigan.
Tech modernization, civil service protection big priorities for Virginia's new House Democrat
Virginia’s first Indian-American congressman-elect will bring some tech policy chops to Capitol Hill.
States were not prepared to face COVID-era UI fraud, congressional report says
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic said states paid out more than $191 billion in fraudulent payments. Data-driven oversight could have mitigated some of those losses, the report said.
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At legislators' retreat, lawmakers discuss AI and economic growth
City & State’s Legislators’ Retreat featured keynote speeches from Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez and Center for an Urban Future executive director Jonathan Bowles.
A change at Route Fifty
We are shifting our focus to report on how state and local governments are using technology, and will keep following innovative solutions to pressing challenges.
Artificial intelligence study committee considers potential recommendations to lawmakers
The committee is the latest effort as Wisconsin government and business leaders attempt to confront use of and ongoing advancements of AI technology.
Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges
A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill prohibiting minors from using social media accounts as school districts become a “hunting ground” for online dangers.
How one state is expanding language access for UI applications
New Jersey has released training materials that can help agencies improve Spanish translations of government resources and services using artificial intelligence.
Alabama senator refiles bill to make body cameras, dashboard footage public records
Alabama does not classify video and audio of police encounters as public records and provides limited access to those captured on tape.
Empowering state and local governments in the evolving tech landscape
COMMENTARY | Agency employees can leverage new developments to deliver positive outcomes for their constituents. It is up to them to seize these new opportunities.
Public health tech must be agile in post-COVID world, Virginia official says
Agencies had to quickly stand up new systems to track cases and vaccines, among other things. With federal help reduced, they need to be sustainable with their tech investments.
Misinformation expert used AI to draft testimony containing misinformation about AI
Stanford’s Jeff Hancock submitted the document as an expert declaration in a case involving a new Minnesota law that makes it illegal to use AI to mislead voters prior to an election.
U.S. Education Department pings states, schools to set policies on cellphone use
The department said schools' policies should be "clear, consistent, and research-informed," but did not specify exactly what those policies should be.
