Civic Tech

Nearly 20 Democratic legislators on Tuesday introduced a bill to establish a statewide public banking program to provide low-income workers with access to no-fee money transactions and debit cards.

Technologists who have worked for and with the government say the change in presidential administrations has sparked new interest in public-sector tech efforts, and the moment is perfect for it.

Plus, Philadelphia’s Digital Literacy Alliance has announced its winter 2020 grant cycle recipients, NYC overhauls its online vaccine finder platform and NYC releases a new broadband-related RFP.

Mayors and others involved with local government from across the globe convened online this week for the preeminent local government conference, during which equity was perhaps the most omnipresent focus of attention.

Plus, Philadelphia announces new pilot projects that will be supported by the city’s innovation fund, the Harvard Kennedy School releases a new step-by-step RFP guide for local governments and more!

Plus, the NSF named 52 teams as Civic Innovation Challenge awardees; Anchorage, Alaska, launches a financial navigator to help residents impacted by the pandemic; and the USDR is offering pro-bono vaccine rollout support.

Plus, the Federal Chief Data Officers Council has launched a new website with an absolutely perfect URL, the U.S. Treasury tapes artificial intelligence to help parse spending bills faster and more.

Plus, an open source tool tracks first 100 days in office for new Baltimore mayor; Baton Rouge, La., releases an open data policy report with plans for expansion, and Houston looks to hire a new CDO.

Plus, a new Kentucky state website allows visitors to test the speed of their connections, Miami has launched a new app to enable business licensing online via smartphones or computers, and more.

Plus, one of President Biden’s early executive orders calls for establishing an equitable data working group, the WhiteHouse.Gov analytics site gets an update for the first time in years, and more.

Plus, Code for America names Emily K. Tracy as chief revenue officer; the 2021 Global Mayors Challenge focuses on ideas stemming from COVID-19; City Innovate shares its STIR Lab partnerships; and more.

Plus, Code for America condemns the attack on the U.S. Capitol; the U.S. State Department adds its first permanent chief data officer position; and Congress directs FCC to create emergency broadband funds.

Using human-centered design principles and behavioral nudges, researchers revised court summons for low-level offenders and instituted a text messaging reminder system, increasing court appearance rates.

Plus, Michigan’s central IT shop has now released new data about its work helping with the pandemic response, the University of Kansas shares its 54th edition of a statewide data set, and more.

Santa Fe city officials are working with researchers from Carnegie Mellon University to implement a first-of-its-kind smartphone app that would let residents track when COVID-19 is impacting their social circle.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has joined an international network that tracks the large-scale movements of birds, bats and large insects, turning to the Motus Wildlife Tracking System.

Plus, Philadelphia launches a new used technology donation program aimed at helping to close the digital divide, a federal agency releases hospital-level facility data related to COVID, and more.

The Navy has established new "Tech Bridges" in Hawaii and the Gulf Coast, with the Hawaii branch expected to be a super connector tying together state and local government, industry and academia to solve Navy problems.