Artificial Intelligence
After months of debate, Virginia fails to pass data center clean energy requirements
The state will tax data center electricity but plans to reduce emissions at the facilities and secure environmental protections went nowhere.
Management
Texas secretary of state raised concerns about the federal tool used to flag potential noncitizen voters
Secretary of State Jane Nelson wrote a letter to federal immigration officials in April after the SAVE program incorrectly flagged U.S. citizens.
Artificial Intelligence
The new trust challenge facing state and local government
COMMENTARY | Residents receive information through systems that sit between the publisher and public, like AI and search engines. Accountability, then, becomes harder to follow.
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Finance
Ohio city launches digital platform for new participatory budgeting program
Through the program, residents will have a direct say over how city officials invest taxpayer dollars for infrastructure improvements more effectively, one official says.
People
Governors ban state employees from insider trading on prediction markets
More state leaders are either banning or severely curtailing workers from using nonpublic information to profit on the platforms amid worries of wagering on government actions.
Artificial Intelligence
Lee County residents demand pause on North Carolina data center, claiming deception
Lee County residents demand pause on proposed data center, citing noise pollution, environmental impacts and a lack of transparency.
Infrastructure
Delivery company DoorDash wants to roll out robots on New Mexico roads
The company says ideal state legislation would restrict local regulation of small autonomous delivery vehicles.
Public Safety
Feds tie counterterrorism grants to election security measures
The new guidance from FEMA would require states to take various steps on elections before receiving funds. Government groups criticized the move as an overreach.
Infrastructure
Nebraska wants data centers to come clean about water usage
The industry can be a black box of information. But as the state deals with persistent drought, residents and regulators want more answers.
Artificial Intelligence
What Rhode Island lawmakers did — and didn’t do — on AI, crypto and data centers
Lawmakers passed limited AI rules for companion models and healthcare. Broader tech regulations, including data centers, largely stalled, although a cryptocurrency study commission is finally coming.
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Digital Government
The difference between ‘another dashboard’ and a useful one
COMMENTARY | A great dashboard requires clear ownership, and taking a closer look at your data culture.
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Digital Government
Automatic enrollment could make text reminders more cost efficient, expert says
An opt-out model for court date reminders can help reduce court date no-shows, which have significant time and financial costs for state and local governments.
Artificial Intelligence
New York governor signs nation’s first moratorium on large data centers
Kathy Hochul said the one-year ban on hyperscale data centers comes alongside an effort to establish standards for their development and prevent residents footing the bill.
Artificial Intelligence
AI, once relegated to helping hackers with certain tasks, can now power every stage of a cyberattack
Researchers determined that AI was used in steps across entire cyber operations to identify security flaws, generate commands and carry out parts of intrusions, sometimes with little human oversight. Both U.S. and Chinese AI models have been involved.
Finance
Cash App parent company to pay $45 million in multistate fraud settlement, state AG says
Virginia is among 46 participating states in the settlement with Block, Inc., the company behind Cash App. The commonwealth will receive about $845,500.
People
Beeck Center leader reflects on ‘bipartisan opportunity’ for government efficiency
Efforts at the federal level generated a lot of headlines, but at the state level, where the goal is delivery, a lot more progress can be made, said the head of the Georgetown University-based center.
Infrastructure
Feds launch groundbreaking electric plane pilot program in Virginia
The program, driven by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration, is designed to accelerate the safe integration of advanced air mobility into the country’s national airspace system.
People
Trump empties out election commission leadership just months before midterms
The shake-up raises questions about voting system certification, federal election security coordination, and the commission’s ability to approve key policy decisions.
Artificial Intelligence
AI’s real promise for government: Shortening the distance from data to decision
COMMENTARY | The speed of decision-making matters for those in charge of government programs. AI can change that process from months to days, hours or minutes.
