State Government
Governor rejects fast-track for small nuclear reactors at Arizona data centers
Katie Hobbs vetoes Arizona small modular nuclear reactor veto bill that would have exempted unproven technology from environmental review.
State-level DOGE work gathers speed
Oklahoma’s new government efficiency unit issued a report on what it has found to cut, while Iowa’s first-in-the-nation effort held its inaugural meeting. But experts say efficiency isn’t just about cutting spending.
The Colorado model: Leveraging research and data to guide investments and drive outcomes
COMMENTARY | A new partnership helps lawmakers make data-driven decisions and identify whether initiatives are succeeding. It will ensure value for money for residents and deliver proven outcomes.
Cities prepare for ‘quite epic’ World Cup next year
The tournament will bring millions of fans and 48 teams to 11 cities in the U.S. It makes for a lot of logistical headaches, but leaders said they will be ready and will build a legacy.
Technology is the enabler for state government’s next chapter
COMMENTARY | With tightening budgets and rising expectations, automation and data-driven insights can help leaders be efficient and expand their digital services.
Texas mulls establishing new Cyber Command
Legislation would create the command and mandate that it set up a cybersecurity strategy. Gov. Greg Abbott said it is vital to protect the Lone Star State from bad actors.
California has 30 new proposals to rein in AI. Trump could complicate them
President Donald Trump is taking a very different approach to AI than the Biden administration, and it could affect how California regulates artificial intelligence.
Doug Mastriano calls on Congress to support DOGE as he backs state-level DOGE bill
The former candidate for Pennsylvania governor has sponsored legislation seeking to create a state-level Department of Government Efficiency.
Innovation meets ideology: The political challenges facing today’s CIOs
COMMENTARY | Recent moves at the federal level could seep into state and local governments, and risk politicizing traditionally apolitical efforts to improve technology offerings.
Top considerations for adopting a whole-of-state cybersecurity strategy
COMMENTARY | A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so states must emphasize collaboration and resource sharing across their entire ecosystem to better protect themselves.
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Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s cellphone ban in schools advances
The Legislature advanced LB140 to second reading Monday with bipartisan support, 44-0, with five lawmakers not voting or excused.
School cellphone bans spread across states, though enforcement could be tricky
The research on social media’s harmful effects has moved lawmakers to bipartisan action.
Amid DOGE push, states wrestle with defining ‘government efficiency’
Several states have instituted new committees in their legislatures in a bid to rein in spending. But others suggest the path to efficiency is less about grabbing headlines and more about finding new ways of working.
Teens on social media: Red, blue and purple states are all passing laws to restrict and protect adolescents
COMMENTARY | New restrictions on how children and teens can spend time online remain concentrated at the state level.
Rethinking budgeting: A transformative approach for state and local governments
Given the fiscal realities that the majority of governments now face in the post-COVID era, they need to think differently about how they allocate their resources.
Iowa floats first state-level ‘Department of Government Efficiency’
Gov. Kim Reynolds said the new task force would build on the state’s previous efforts to consolidate agencies and technology, which has already saved millions of dollars.
State governments seek to leverage AI’s promise while mitigating its hazards
Governments are experimenting with the technology and actively deploying it, but still must wrestle with policies governing its use and the potential fiscal impacts.
In times of crisis, states have few tools to fight misinformation
Social media companies have pushed back against efforts to crack down on falsehoods.
Amid budget ‘crisis,’ Maryland looks to modernize government
Gov. Wes Moore this month signed an executive order mandating agencies review data to find cost savings. He also is looking to modernize the state’s permitting and licensing processes.
For New York statewide school cellphone ban, Hochul proposes $13.5 million to cover costs
The proposal came Tuesday as Hochul presented her $252 billion 2026 state budget, which would send roughly $37.4 billion to schools across the state.
