Digital Services

The private equity firm, run by a former Florida politician and his brothers, had previously raised $355 million. The fresh capital underscores the sector’s increasing role in gov tech.

Amy Tong, the former California Government Operations Agency secretary and state CIO, will, at the request of Gov. Gavin Newsom, now focus on “government efficiency, tech and innovation,” she said recently.

Los Angeles and Orlando international airports have introduced parking technology to make travelers’ experiences more seamless and convenient. Cities are following suit, for ease of use and to reach more users.

Plus, Baltimore has a new broadband report, Seattle awards funds for digital equity, the FCC has announced staffing changes, a survey found trust in digital government services is under 50 percent, and more.

The project is nearing completion, with training on the new court management system slated to begin this spring. Paid for entirely by federal funds, it will eventually allow for electronic filing of court documents.

Transportation departments in Texas and California are exploring artificial intelligence, and the latter may create a chief data and AI officer role. These agencies, an executive said, will face “major workforce transformations.”

The Mineral County Treasurer’s Office and the state are readying a new vehicle services system, to refresh vehicle titling and registration. Services will be fully restored Monday morning, per the state website.

The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court voted March 6 to spend nearly $2.6 million to retain the services of several cybersecurity firms. The move comes as the Fort Bend Public Library recently confronted online outages.

Plus, Vermont has started work on its Digital Empowerment Plan; a new bill aims to prevent FCC from censoring broadcasters; Sonoma County, Calif., has approved offering some residents free Internet; and more.

Launched this week by the state Department of Development, the program aims to provide assistance to smaller firms in strengthening cybersecurity and negotiating changes to the federal contracting landscape.

Commissioners have approved a new system that will ensure staff at the county jail check inmates the preferred four times per day. Actions such as administering medication and other daily needs will each require a scan.

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.

The San Fernando Valley city's new chief information officer was most recently IT director for the Southern California municipality. He has public- and private-sector experience in IT, management and technical roles.

As the role of the CIO continues to emerge and evolve, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers looks at how business architecture can be leveraged in ongoing transformation.

Plus, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance launched a map of affiliates, Utah libraries have new digital resources, and broadband legislation — one of which addresses the future of the BEAD program — has been introduced.

The state’s new LAUNCH portal brings together career resources, employers and job seekers. A collaboration with a national nonprofit, it uses artificial intelligence and data to supply targeted listings.

A sewer district in Ohio is using rain gauge data, coupled with radar and other inputs, to better understand how rain events will impact its service area. The goal is to inform residents about extreme weather.

The western city has elevated its IT director, an 18-year staffer, within management. Officials have also named an interim replacement while a job search is conducted for a permanent technology head.