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Katya Diaz

Staff Writer

Katya Diaz is a staff writer for Government Technology. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in global strategic communications from Florida International University.

Policy

Florida Legislators Mull Replacing State’s Current IT Agency

The Florida State Appropriations Committee has proposed a bill that would create the Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology and replace the existing IT agency, the Florida Digital Service, by June 2026.

March 20, 2025
· Katya Diaz
Artificial Intelligence

Florida Lawmakers Weigh Using AI to Find Waste, Smooth Processes

Members of the House of Representatives IT Budget and Policy Subcommittee questioned artificial intelligence’s impact on the state workforce and its open records policy, expressing concern it could replace staffers.

March 12, 2025
· Katya Diaz
Policy

Florida Database Would Assist in Voting Rights Restoration

A House bill would create a database to track information on the progress of certain individuals with felony convictions. Its aim would be to help those eligible determine whether their voting rights could be restored.

February 28, 2025
· Katya Diaz
Policy

Florida DOGE Force Looks to AI to Trim Bureaucratic ‘Bloat’

Created by gubernatorial executive order, the state’s new Department of Governmental Efficiency team will work to “promote efficiency, maximize productivity and eliminate waste in state and local government.”

February 25, 2025
· Katya Diaz
Budget & Finance

Millions in Fla. Governor’s IT Budget for Law Enforcement

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ fiscal year 2026 proposed budget recommendations include funding for state IT projects across criminal justice. Initiatives include hardening security, replacing infrastructure and a platform upgrade.

February 21, 2025
· Katya Diaz
Government Experience

Local Governments Work With Google.org to Design Digital Tools

City and county officials discussed partnering with community organizations and technologists from Google.org on digital tools to resolve neighborhood issues, during a “Demo Day” webinar hosted by The Opportunity Project for Cities.

November 15, 2024
· Katya Diaz
Cybersecurity

To Be Cyber Resilient, Put Critical Infrastructure First

Cybersecurity is around-the-clock work, but panelists at the Southern Florida Digital Government Summit offered several ideas for keeping operations secure. Generative artificial intelligence, one official said, is moving humans away from operations.

November 07, 2024
· Katya Diaz
Transportation

Florida Will Pull Digital ID App from Stores, Redo It

In an email Wednesday, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said it will revise the Florida Smart ID application, and asked users to delete it. The app has since been deactivated.

July 12, 2024
· Katya Diaz
Workforce & People

Orlando Names Deputy Chief Information Officer as New CIO

Roberto Lopez has been with the city more than 20 years, much of that as a computer operations manager. He replaces Rosa Akhtarkhavari, who stepped down earlier this month after more than a decade as CIO.

June 17, 2024
· Katya Diaz
Workforce & People

Eric Hayden Confirmed as Tampa CIO, Chief Technology Officer

City Council members voted unanimously to make the career Florida executive permanent in both roles. Hayden, who was previously infrastructure services manager, has served as interim CIO and CTO since January.

June 07, 2024
· Katya Diaz