Digital Government
Voters approve digitized New York City map amid affordable housing push
Supporters said the new map, which was approved overwhelmingly last week, will help speed up approvals of new housing and development projects. Opponents warned it would centralize power away from the five boroughs.
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Eliminate Manual Processes Route and Approve Invoices from Anywhere
Today’s finance teams carry a heavy burden, supporting everything from growth strategies to long-term planning – all while continuously delivering monthly and quarterly numbers and keeping cash flowing. But even as demands on finance departments grow, many still spend excessive time using paper, spreadsheets, and e-mails to process vendor invoices, approvals, and payments.
Texas sues Roblox, alleging the online gaming platform endangers children
Texas is the third state to sue the platform, alongside dozens of private plaintiffs who say Roblox didn’t do enough to protect their kids from sexually explicit content.
Congress is letting states hoard broadband billions
COMMENTARY | The restructured BEAD program will save taxpayer money, but some governments want to hold onto that cash rather than return it to their residents.
Florida’s E-Verify expansion clears first legislative hurdle
‘It simply enforces the law,’ said Rep. Berny Jacques.
Nonprofit launches tool to help agencies field Medicaid, SNAP rule changes
The Benefit Navigator tool has been years in the making, and its most recent iteration could be critical for public agencies trying to keep residents connected to public benefits.
Half of BEAD funds may end up unspent, report says
Around $21 billion of the federal broadband program could be left over, according to recent research, which also found that as many as 1 million locations could still be unserved.
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Direct File won’t happen in 2026, IRS tells states
The free service that allowed taxpayers to file online directly with the IRS was used by hundreds of thousands of taxpayers in 2024 and 2025, who gave it high marks — although tax prep companies and Republicans have sought its end.
Baltimore is innovating its permitting system to revitalize housing
The city recently launched a service that automatically issues a permit for certain construction projects to help expedite the housing development process and reduce staff workloads.
Kansas looks to tech to modernize agency rulemaking
The state will use a cloud-based platform to draft, publish and take comments on regulations, having relied on paper since 1965.
Inside the Secret Service hunt for skimmers as outdated SNAP cards let thieves steal millions
The government still uses 1970s-era technology to deliver SNAP, leaving beneficiaries vulnerable to transnational crime rings that have taken hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits in recent years.
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Philadelphia turns to virtual calls to optimize building inspections
Through the camera lens of a mobile device, city staff can evaluate building conditions more closely and efficiently, one official says.
Nonprofit offers alternative funding for school, library Wi-Fi programs
Mission Telecom said it would match any discounts those institutions received under the FCC’s E-Rate program for loaning out Wi-Fi hotspots and providing service on school buses.
From flashlight fixes to future-ready innovation: Why we must stop patching and start building anew
Real innovation isn’t about fixing old switches. It’s about recognizing when it’s time to stop patching and start fresh.
Human knowledge and feedback are key for building trustworthy digital services, experts say
By building public assistance systems around the human experience, agencies are more likely to save time and resources, experts say.
Alleging ‘secrecy,’ ACLU and Eugene resident sue city for Flock camera records
Other cities with cameras have released similar records, complaint alleges.
Broadband’s broken promise: How federal failures and funding fights keep Native and Black farmers offline
Across the US, Indigenous and Black farmers face ‘digital redlining,’ a web of barriers to affordable broadband even as billions in federal dollars flow to internet providers. Rooted in high costs, policy failures and historic exclusion, the connectivity gap endures — but communities are fighting back with local solutions.
Maryland officials approve 'tap and go' EBT cards for public benefits
The electronic benefit transfer cards aim to reduce theft from programs that serve almost 1 million in the state.
Use it or lose it: NV lawmakers urge state to hit federal housing, broadband funding deadlines
Nearly a third of Nevada’s $2.7 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funding has not yet been spent, and legislators want to spend it by next year.
Boston invests in curb management tech to improve resident satisfaction
A new digital payment infrastructure for curb management is helping the city better meet residents’ needs.
States’ IT modernization dreams run into budget realities
Federal funds have largely dried up, meaning state tech leaders are worried about how they will be able to afford to execute their strategies and wondering where more money can come from.
