Finance

Centralized IT shops are meant to avoid the kind of gov tech debacles that make the news. But they also, argues state IT veteran Dan Kim, bog down the process and stand in the way of innovation.

The funding, led by Blueprint Equity, comes as AidKit touts its ability to help state and local governments weather changes in federal funding. AidKit launched four years ago and has worked with more than 200 clients.

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.”

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.

From Oklahoma to Mississippi to New Hampshire, nearly a dozen states are putting their imprint on the government efficiency movement in the form of committees and task forces, looking to improve operations.

Plus, a report found the Affordable Connectivity Program pays for itself, the BEAD program funding dispute continues, a bill aims to reduce barriers for broadband deployment, Oswego County, N.Y., gets a broadband grant and more.

Hundreds of technology partners focused on the public sector gathered outside Washington, D.C., for the annual Beyond the Beltway event, an industry-focused forecast of what 2025 looks like for state and local IT.

The state’s House of Representatives advanced legislation this week that would create a task force dedicated to reviewing state programs and identifying areas in which officials could improve efficiency.

Envisio’s Stefan Baerg and Tyler Technologies’ Chris Fabian discuss their unique collaboration and explore how governments are transforming budgeting to be more strategic, transparent and outcome-focused.

This year the organization will change its name to reflect its “mission and community inclusivity" across all levels of government. The change will not affect agreements, procurements or fees.

The coalition is a relatively new but growing group that promotes the responsible use of AI in the public sector. It has teamed with Pavilion, which offers a platform for shareable contracts, on this fresh data-building push.

The Empire State’s fiscal year 2026 budget would, if approved by the state Legislature, add hundreds of employees to the IT workforce, to help the government be more efficient and use tech better in serving constituents.

The company offers early warning data via its platform that can give suppliers of government technology an edge when it comes to contracts. The company’s founder explains the ideas driving his firm.

Jeff Cook, a gov tech market expert with Shea & Company, looks back at an uneven year in gov tech and predicts a stronger year going forward — with a potential shift in the market’s most active sectors.

These funds can be key to breaking the innovation stalemate. In California, funding nimble, high-impact solutions can help replace inertia with action to modernize IT systems and deliver better services for the public.

Plus, $117 million in NTIA grants go out, Indiana funds county broadband expansion, the E-BRIDGE Act is now the law of the land, new legislation aims to support rural broadband development, and more.

The state has been working diligently in recent years to make its services more accessible to constituents. The latest development is TAX2GO, which makes taxpaying services mobile; others are in the works.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal for a balanced state budget would spend $168 million to “standardize and streamline data collection” across state community colleges. It would also create two new entities.