State Government
After passing a few AI laws in 2024, this state's legislature might have more in store next session
Idaho's Artificial Intelligence Working Group heard from experts on generative-AI about its promises, and challenges.
States reject changes to how elections are administered
Advocates had hoped ranked choice voting would be instituted in more states but were left disappointed last night. Only Washington, D.C. and some small municipalities approved its use.
‘Renewable energy growth is truly a 50-state story now’: New report shows big jump in solar, wind, EVs
A coalition of environmental groups finds U.S. renewable energy development has tripled in the past decade.
End of SNAP’s pandemic internet deduction pinches some Kentuckians at grocery store
JD Charles is among 11,800 Kentuckians who lost SNAP benefits Oct. 1. The $23 a month helped him get by on his Social Security disability income.
Lacking nationwide protections, states are stepping up to protect child influencers
California became the latest to sign legislation to protect so-called “kidfluencers,” after Illinois became the first to do so. More states appear to be following their lead.
New art exhibit helps make cyber issues real
The show in Alexandria, Virginia, explores issues like privacy, artificial intelligence and misinformation through artistic expression.
More states are planning for the coming retirement surge
Increasingly, states are turning to automated savings programs to help their constituents—and budgets.
States own lands on reservations. To use them, tribes have to pay.
Schools, hospitals, prisons and other institutions in 15 states profit from land and resources on 79 tribal nations.
States still on a ‘learning curve’ amid generative AI’s promise
Leaders acknowledged the technology’s promise at the recent National Association of State Chief Information Officers conference, but said data management is a major obstacle preventing widespread use in government.
State CIOs take on bigger role in natural disasters
A recent survey of state tech leaders found that CIOs are increasingly an integral part of state emergency operations, tasked with making sure critical systems and communications remain available.
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Ohio voters will once again weigh in on redistricting reform
After previous efforts to stop gerrymandering failed, Ohioans will try again—this time completely removing lawmakers and other politicians from the redistricting process.
Several states could change how their elections are run
Six states and Washington, D.C., will vote on ranked choice voting. Is the increasingly popular voting method’s honeymoon over?
Responding to post-pandemic norms, more states are lowering test standards
The changes have renewed criticism of a testing "honesty gap" and have sparked calls for states to level with parents about poor student performance in the aftermath of COVID.
Amid tight budgets and talent gaps, the job of state technology chief just keeps expanding
Many state chief information security officers say they don’t have a reliable budget, staff or expertise to adequately protect against cyberattacks, according to a new survey.
Eight states to vote on amendments to ban noncitizen voting
It is already illegal under state laws and rare, but Republicans in some states say the language needs to be clearer in their constitutions.
The IRS has made its free tax filing tool permanent. Now, these states want to take it a step further.
Maryland and North Carolina are the latest to join Direct File. They are also planning to allow taxpayers to seamlessly file their state returns alongside their federal ones. It’s a new frontier for tax filing tools, experts say.
Some states want to make it easier to cancel subscriptions
Pushback from cable, streaming services has challenged their efforts.
Republican governors on international pandemic plan: We will not comply
Republican leaders have expressed their disinterest in complying with an international push for a coordinated, global pandemic response.
North Carolina OKs the use of student digital IDs to vote
The narrow approval is just for students and faculty on the University of North Carolina’s Chapel Hill campus. It comes as mobile IDs and driver’s licenses grow in popularity, but also as cyberattacks continue to rise.
Can states’ social media laws stand up to scrutiny?
Several states have tried to regulate the space in a bid to protect young people from the worst of the platforms. But whether their plans are workable, and can withstand legal challenges, remains to be seen.
