In May, this magazine was named the Best Overall Trade Publication by the Western Publishing Association at its annual Maggie Awards event in Los Angeles. The hardworking staff of writers, editors, designers and production coordinators that makes Government Technology possible bested a number of excellent publications to take home the award.
The win marks the second time in three years that Government Technology has been so honored. Our sister publication, Emergency Management, was also a winner, having been named the Best Public Safety/Trade Publication.
So why do I mention these accolades? Because the stories we write are either about you or they are intended to inform you. For more than two decades, Government Technology has published with the singular purpose of reporting on technology that makes government work more effectively and improves the citizen-government experience. Our stories often recount the innovative efforts of underappreciated public-sector employees. Sometimes, however, we're also compelled to tell you about the problems and failures public-sector IT projects encounter. But regardless of whether the news is good or bad, we strive to be honest, fair and accountable in our mission, and I believe being named the best trade publication is a verification of our efforts.
In this issue, I hope you find that this trend continues. Our cover story tackles a tough question: What impact will the health-care reform law have on state and local technology? The second feature asks industry-leading technology firms what they believe is important for state and local IT and what will become important a few years down the road. Other stories investigate how New York City used work force management tools to orchestrate staff helping with H1N1 vaccinations; Texas' newly redesigned state Web portal; and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice's use of predictive analytics software to combat high recidivism.
We hope this issue - and every issue - does justice to our motto of reporting on "solutions for state and local government in the Information Age." So on behalf of all of us here at Government Technology, to all of our readers, let me say thank you. We couldn't have done it without you.