Washington

As Government Technology reflected on another year in the books, we asked state CIOs: What stood out for you in 2023?

More than 8,500 applicants to the University of Washington this fall chose computer science as their first-choice major, with hundreds more transferring from other majors or the state's community college network.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, the grant funding, allocated under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to propel digital construction tools such as computer modeling and 3D design in 10 state DOTs.

Parts of the Washington Department of Transportation's website have been down since Tuesday following what officials described as a cybersecurity incident aimed at disrupting the flow of travel information.

A week before Election Day, state elections officials say they haven't been able to convince three Washington counties to install a security device that monitors county network traffic for threats.

Washington CIO Bill Kehoe and Chief of Staff Amy Pearson explain that while their agency is fully remote and even hiring out-of-state talent, they still find ways to bring staff together on big projects.

Washington’s first chief data officer, Irene Vidyanti, outlines the three main components of the state’s nascent enterprise data program, which will ultimately work together in a “symbiotic relationship.”

The project includes 134 miles of line construction, funded through a $23.5 million grant from the Washington State Broadband Office and an additional $2.35 million matching funds from ISP ToledoTel.

Plus, New Mexico’s broadband director is retiring, California has a new public broadband services bill and applications are open for the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s 2023 digital trailblazers program.

Government agencies are working to conform to a changing social media landscape these days, with Twitter’s rebranding to X — among other things — presenting challenges.

Recently passed and proposed legislation across the country is bolstering telehealth expansion by redefining telehealth benefit specifications, enabling coverage across state lines and eliminating patient care obstacles for medical professionals.

The effort to transition Washington state ferries from diesel engines to hybrid-electric power is proving to be more expensive than originally thought. So far, both quotes for the work have exceeded the initial $120 million state estimate.

The state auditor’s office’s new program offers local governments quick assessments of their cyber postures, plus advice for improving. This can help governments get ready while on the waitlist for the state’s more in-depth cyber audits.

Gov. Jay Inslee is calling for more speed cameras across the state to combat the rise in fatal traffic collisions. Data shows a lack of progress in the state plan to eliminate fatal and serious injury collisions by 2030.

Chief privacy officer roles exist in 21 states and counting. As the job gains traction in government, we look at where those IT leaders sit, how they collaborate with their peers and where the field is going.

The federal government has announced that Washington state will get more than $1.2 billion to expand Internet access. But how big of an impact will the money actually make for residents?

Washington state will get more than $1.2 billion from the federal government to deliver high-speed Internet to communities with slow, unreliable or nonexistent service, the Biden administration announced Monday.

Plus, a new report continues to emphasize the value of a unified approach to broadband, Cleveland finds a nonprofit partner for a citywide broadband network and more.