State Government

Iowa’s governor believes the state’s government is “too big” and is now following in the footsteps of the presidential administration by creating a statewide DOGE task force to reduce spending.

A proposed state Senate bill would change the name of the Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services, and compel creation of the “Safe Arkansas App.” It would also hone policy on how departments use tech resources.

The state economic development agency has debuted a new division, Louisiana Innovation. Its responsibilities will include developing the Louisiana Institute for Artificial Intelligence, a nonprofit.

By using digital twins and integrating artificial intelligence into its procurement process, the state has been able to cut inefficiencies, get better pricing and drive transparency.

State applications and some websites were unreachable for a time on Thursday after incoming and outgoing traffic was stopped. Emails emphasized there were no problems with the apps, or data vulnerabilities.

Evelina Broussard will lead the state’s Office of Technology Services after 28 years with gas distributor Atmos Energy. Her appointment closely follows the departure of now-former CIO Derek Williams.

If there was a universal theme in 2025 speeches, it was smartphone bans in schools. But governors also outlined plans and accomplishments in cybersecurity, modernization and digital government.

The state has been successful at reducing its cyber vulnerabilities by nearly 50 percent in the last year, its CISO said, as it undertakes a statewide strategy to grow a cybersecurity culture.

The Texas Cyber Command would work closely with state agencies, universities and Regional Security Operation Centers to improve cybersecurity. Gov. Greg Abbott announced it during his State of the State address Sunday.

Derek Williams was elevated to state CIO last year after having served as deputy CIO since late 2022. He is a veteran Louisiana technologist, and has been with the Office of Technology Services since its creation.

As tech positions go unfilled across public-sector organizations, recruiting experts recommend lowering the hurdles. Suggested strategies include clarifying job descriptions and tailoring hiring processes.

Now under new leadership, the California High-Speed Rail Authority is set to move into a new phase of development. Plans are to begin train service in the Central Valley in five to eight years.

The state plans to use a $13.2 million grant from the federal government to standardize interagency crash data, improve its quality and make it easier to access. Funds may also be used to automate data sharing.

Collaboration between the state, the University of Vermont and private semiconductor businesses will include K-12 and adult education initiatives to promote local development of semiconductors made with gallium nitride.

U.S. officials commemorated Data Privacy Day in several ways, ranging from spreading awareness to sharing informational materials at state and local levels. Observance of the occasion originated in 2007.

ChatGPT Gov is the latest artificial intelligence tool from OpenAI, geared toward expanded use by government agencies, and offering another way to access advanced machine learning models.

As Arizona's recent economic growth has created new job market opportunities, the state has been supporting cybersecurity initiatives and collaborations to bolster evolving workforce needs.

The Colorado Department of Revenue has completed a project refreshing the state’s Sales and Use Tax System for an improved user experience. The work follows a mandate from state legislators in 2023.