Policy

First responders, emergency dispatchers and public safety technology vendors are preparing to deal with a cold reality: Much less federal funding for 911 upgrades than needed or expected. What happens next for response times and innovation?

As America moved forward from the pandemic's initial throes, transportation experts examined their role in social equity as they considered eliminating fares, expanding transit lines and starting a "mobility revolution."

Plus, Illinois Tech team develops environmentally sound digital currency; the National League of Cities unveils a new digital equity playbook; Washington approves $44.6 million of broadband grants; and more.

The regional transportation plan of the San Diego Association of Governments has several issues: not enough riders, low demand and an uncertain time frame. The association should take a harder look at the evidence.

In order to improve broadband accessibility in New Mexico, officials must resist buying into hype and invest in technology that can account for the state's mountainous terrain and rural contexts.

From the American Rescue Plan and the infrastructure bill to cybersecurity and ransomware policy, state and local governments felt the full effects of support from the Biden administration during the president's first year.

A new clean trucking rule to require the sale of medium and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks in Oregon serves as one more piece of state public policy to nudge the trucking industry more securely toward an electric future.

Backed by Gates' investment company Pivotal Ventures, the Gender Equality in Tech program will partner with Florida International University to direct female students in search of a major toward technology studies.

In partnership with Amazon Web Services, Washington public schools are launching a statewide effort to train 2,500 K-12 students in cloud computing and related subjects over the next three years.

Indiana’s 2021 cybersecurity strategy aims to provide a variety of practical tools and education supports. Cybersecurity program director Chetrice Mosley-Romero says it puts a particular focus on helping local government.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has verbalized his opposition to a bill that would significantly expand consumer tax credits for electric vehicles and provide other financial support for the emerging EV industry.

Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of social media network Facebook, is now staring at numerous legal challenges for Facebook's role in spreading hate speech about Muslim minorities in Myanmar.

After a year of facing legal opposition from determined residents of Dewey Beach, Del., Verizon has agreed to a settlement. The company has stated it will move five 5G poles off a beachfront.

In Massachusetts, lawmakers are asking the state’s Executive Office of Technology Services and Security to consider cloud computing options with newly proposed legislation. The move is driven by similar legislation in other states.

With a contribution from DuPont, the state will use Discovery Education’s digital learning platform to build an interest in science, technology, engineering and math careers that are in high demand.

Jascha Franklin-Hodge, who has been serving as executive director of the Open Mobility Foundation, will become the next chief of streets in Boston. Franklin-Hodge previously served as the city's chief information officer.

The awards are part of the 2021 Washington state Legislature's infrastructure investment of the federal Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, according to a news release from the Washington state Public Works Board.