State Government

A new proposal from Ohio state lawmakers and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted on Tuesday would create “data rights” for Ohioans, a hot issue as data breaches are on track to break a previous record set in 2017.

As governments navigate the return to in-person work — or not — leaders must make deliberate efforts to make sure staff feel engaged and valued regardless of where they’re working from.

It was announced this week that Aleine Cohen was tapped to be the first deputy chief information officer of Delaware’s Department of Technology. She has been with the state for more than six years.

More and more states are rolling out digital driver’s licenses, and experts see that trend continuing as federal standards take shape and citizens embrace an improved government experience.

A recent state law provides a legislative framework for deploying “small wireless facilities” — the infrastructure that supports 4G and 5G, including where devices can go, and how much local governments can control.

Plus, North Carolina unveils its new state Office of Digital Equity and Literacy; San Jose, Calif., announces a new donation adding up to a $250,000 boost for its San Jose Digital Inclusion Fund; and more.

State and local government innovation offices are neither ubiquitous nor standardized. GT talked to veterans of four such agencies to get insight on best practices, lessons learned and what’s ahead.

A U.S. House hearing last week heard testimony from experts who underlined the disconnect between federal, state and local IT as well as how leadership can stall efforts to improve digital user experience and cybersecurity.

A federal judge in New Mexico has issued a preliminary injunction against the state, ordering it to approve two public right-of-way permits to an Internet company providing broadband in underserved communities.

A recently proposed New York bill could soon allow the state's IT office to select a third party to evaluate its IT infrastructure, which was stretched to the limit during COVID-19 pandemic response efforts.

A proposal at the state level to limit local governments in providing broadband services was removed from the final budget agreement. Municipal customers and local officials lobbied vigorously against the effort.

Mark Breunig, Alaska's chief information security officer, quietly left the position last month to take on a new role as a cybersecurity adviser for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Plus, Chicago expands its education-focused digital equity program; Louisiana invests $180 million in expanding broadband infrastructure for underserved communities; and Boston launches a neighborhood database search.

To compete globally and optimize our nation’s productivity, America needs to invest quickly in its digital future by spending the money needed for public access to — and technical leadership in — the digital world.

While Massachusetts doesn’t have a ballot measure on gig workers like California did, the debate over how drivers at app-based companies are classified — effectively what benefits they should have — is gaining steam.

Cyber criminals are finding workarounds to steal unemployment checks after the state increased security. The scam involves official-looking emails and phone calls to steal user login information.

Zero-trust security depends on strong verification methods. Analyzing user behavior can help — if agencies have the automation power to make that data an asset, not a liability, said Palo Alto Networks’ Paul Calatayud.

Outgoing Labor Cabinet Secretary Larry Roberts told a committee formed to find solutions for the troubled system it may be years before the state can plug its biggest hole — the antiquated tech used to process claims.