Digital Government
Rural health transformation funds go to tech companies for innovations
The new fund will implement new technologies from health-focused startups in rural communities, but the strategy has its doubters.
Sponsor Content
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.
Online prediction markets rile up state lawmakers
They say Kalshi and Polymarket are more like sportsbooks than commodity markets.
Yearbook report recognizes states’ phone-free school laws
Eleven states were honored for passing new laws or strengthening existing ones governing phone use in schools, although some were dinged for confusing implementation.
Feds quietly moved a Medicaid technology project to a central data hub as new eligibility requirements approach
Federal technology offerings promise to help states implement some parts of Medicaid work requirements kicking in on Jan. 1, 2027, but not all of them.
From Benjamin Franklin to satellite: Celebrating 250 years of American communication
COMMENTARY | Our success as the United States has hinged not just on our shared ideals, but also on our ability to communicate and connect across long distances.
Insights & Reports
Building regions’ economies must move beyond ‘incentive wars,’ leading researcher says
Too often, state and local governments try to attract large tech companies with tax breaks and other sweeteners. But true growth should build an ecosystem that lets businesses of all sizes scale up.
Brazil gives parents social media controls for their kids. Should the US?
California is leading on kids’ data privacy in the U.S. but still lags internationally.
Government service delivery needs standard definitions, former government tech leaders say
A patchwork of technical definitions mean Americans are missing out on benefits and agencies face an additional administrative burden, a new paper from Democratic think tank Searchlight Institute says.
What the Flock? 8 things to know about automated license plate readers in Pennsylvania
ALPRs have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and civil liberties groups, while proponents tout them as an important law enforcement tool.
For P3s to work, cities need more than capital
COMMENTARY | Public-private partnerships can help get projects done faster, but technology has to inform how they are measured, structured and held accountable.
Featured eBooks
Feds call on more states to make network vandalism a felony
Currently, 28 states classify vandalizing telecommunications equipment as a more severe crime. FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty called on the remaining 22 to follow their lead.
A Deloitte-run system denied Medicaid benefits for Michigan’s disabled. Now Trump’s law piles on.
Complex computer systems that decide whether people, including the disabled, get Medicaid benefits have a history of errors. Now changes to comply with Trump’s signature tax and domestic policy law are inundating those systems.
Texas lawmakers call for audit of state’s broadband grant funding
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows are questioning how the state distributes funding for internet services.
Bridging IT and OT to deliver enhanced public services
COMMENTARY | The line between IT and OT has effectively disappeared in many state and local agencies. They now must integrate visibility across both domains, or will run into various challenges.
Judge reinstates digital equity grants
The $2.75 billion program under the Digital Equity Act can and should proceed, a judge ruled, but it cannot use race when considering recipients.
On this nearly deserted Alaska island, you pay to keep hundreds of empty buildings wired for internet
U.S. phone customers pay more than $340,000 a year for an Anchorage company to keep homes and buildings on Alaska’s Adak Island wired for obsolete internet service. All but a few of them sit empty.
The difference between ‘another dashboard’ and a useful one
COMMENTARY | A great dashboard requires clear ownership, and taking a closer look at your data culture.
Automatic enrollment could make text reminders more cost efficient, expert says
An opt-out model for court date reminders can help reduce court date no-shows, which have significant time and financial costs for state and local governments.
Maryland’s foster care matching platform demonstrates continued success
The state’s Department of Human Services is seeing staff spend less time on manual administrative work and more time connecting youth with caregivers after a system modernization project, one official says.
Breaking down silos: A practical guide for cross-agency data sharing
COMMENTARY | Regulations provide clear guidance on how to share responsibly, yet are routinely used to justify inaction. Being a responsible data steward means using the data, not just protecting it.
