Emerging Tech
How states can take a ‘quantum’ leap in economic development
Governments are eyeing quantum technology as a way to boost jobs and their economies. But adopting the hard to understand technology, one expert says, will require educating and upskilling your workforce.
Management
Republican attorneys general mount a new attack on the EPA’s use of civil rights law
Twenty-three states want the Biden administration's EPA to curtail its approach to environmental justice.
Management
State legislators are taking the maternal mortality crisis into their own hands
State lawmakers—many of whom are women—are establishing new committees to study and investigate investigating pregnancy-related deaths, their causes and prevention.
Sponsor Content
State and local agencies evaluate their AI future
The recent surge of interest and investment in artificial intelligence tools has presented some fascinating new opportunities in the government landscape.
Emerging Tech
Generative AI steps up as a ‘facilitator’
The Texas Department of Public Safety now uses a generative AI-powered chatbot to streamline procurement. And Polco is rolling out a tool to connect city leaders with survey data so they can see how they stack up against others.
Finance
A range of emerging fiscal risks could disrupt state budgets
Tomorrow’s demographic, environmental, and technological trends require planning and action today.
Management
Anxiety over squatters inspires a wave of legislation
Opponents of the bills call the trend a ‘manufactured crisis’ that could affect legitimate tenant protections.
Workforce
‘We can’t exist without child care’: Rural towns use state funding to open local centers
State grants are infusing over $3.7 million into helping rural communities build collaborative, innovative solutions to address child care needs across South Dakota.
Digital Government
Mobile hunting, fishing licenses streamline conservation management
Minnesota’s new system will replace a paper-based license purchase and harvest registration process, saving staff time and improving customer service.
Digital Government
4 lessons from the federal open records process
COMMENTARY | State and local governments can take a page from the federal government’s FOIA playbook to boost their own efficiency and transparency.
Infrastructure
FCC reinstates net neutrality rules
Commissioners voted 3-2 to revive net neutrality, which supporters said would prevent the internet from being intentionally blocked or slowed down. Opponents said the effort is unnecessary and violates the law.
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Emerging Tech
Banning TikTok won’t solve social media’s foreign influence, teen harm and data privacy problems
COMMENTARY | Protecting Americans cannot be accomplished by banning a single app. To truly protect their constituents, lawmakers would need to enact broad, far-reaching regulation.
Sponsor Content
Adapting to the AI Landscape: Strategies for Technological Evolution in the Public Sector
Within the public sector, AI extends beyond mere automation and plays a pivotal role in revolutionizing processes, fostering efficiency, and ensuring informed decision-making.
Management
Mandatory reporting laws meant to protect children get another look
Some states are considering rolling back these laws, saying the result has been too many unfounded reports that disproportionately harm families who are poor, Black, or Indigenous or have members with disabilities.
Infrastructure
One city takes to the streets to address extreme heat
A Los Angeles neighborhood tested the impact of an innovative cool pavement coating, and research shows it holds potential to supplement climate mitigation efforts.
Infrastructure
States explore new incentives to lower the cost of EVs
Washington state became the latest state to roll out rebates for buying or leasing EVs this week, but other states are offering incentives to knock thousands of dollars off the cost of the vehicles, too.
Emerging Tech
Making AI better than us—What could possibly go wrong?
COMMENTARY | Trained on data scraped from all corners of the internet, today’s generative AI applications are rife with biased data. Developing a trustworthy AI framework requires cross-sector collaboration.
Management
Tennessee House votes to arm teachers despite opposition
In spite of protesters, a bill that would allow teachers to carry a gun goes to governor for signature.
Management
With surge in hate crimes, state justice department launches hotline awareness campaign
Oregon's confidential hotline connects victims to government and community services that range from counseling to help filing a police report.
Cybersecurity
National DELETE Act included in privacy discussions
California already has a law that gives consumers more control over the data held on them by data brokers. A federal effort would give Americans a central place to request it be deleted by all brokers.
Management