State and Federal Relations
Inside the World Cup security operation
A massive effort years in the planning at the federal, state and local level helped keep the tournament safe, even as it faced enormous threats of many kinds that all needed mitigating.
FCC blocks approval of new foreign-made robots, power inverters
National security agencies said the devices could create supply-chain vulnerabilities, threaten critical infrastructure and enable surveillance or remote manipulation.
New York data center pause inspires strong reactions
President Donald Trump was among the first to criticize Gov. Kathy Hochul’s one-year moratorium on hyperscale data centers, along with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and others.
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.
Insights & Reports
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.
Texas secretary of state raised concerns about the federal tool used to flag potential noncitizen voters
Secretary of State Jane Nelson wrote a letter to federal immigration officials in April after the SAVE program incorrectly flagged U.S. citizens.
Feds tie counterterrorism grants to election security measures
The new guidance from FEMA would require states to take various steps on elections before receiving funds. Government groups criticized the move as an overreach.
Beeck Center leader reflects on ‘bipartisan opportunity’ for government efficiency
Efforts at the federal level generated a lot of headlines, but at the state level, where the goal is delivery, a lot more progress can be made, said the head of the Georgetown University-based center.
Feds launch groundbreaking electric plane pilot program in Virginia
The program, driven by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration, is designed to accelerate the safe integration of advanced air mobility into the country’s national airspace system.
Featured eBooks
Trump empties out election commission leadership just months before midterms
The shake-up raises questions about voting system certification, federal election security coordination, and the commission’s ability to approve key policy decisions.
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.
The nation’s housing crisis needs more than AI to solve it, experts say
The technology is just one of many levers to effecting change in the housing landscape for states and localities, experts say.
Libraries lament ‘cascading effects’ of E-Rate’s potential demise
Advocates warned the FCC’s vote to review the program could blow massive holes in their budgets and force service reductions or even closures if new funding sources aren’t found.
How states can address broadband worker shortages
Amid funding uncertainty, existing programs may offer starting point to build workforce.
Nevada official ‘cautiously optimistic’ about AI solution to reducing SNAP error rates
After launching a new data analytics program earlier this year, the Nevada Division of Social Services is seeing early gains in identifying erroneous or fraudulent SNAP payments.
FCC votes to review E-Rate program amid screen time concerns
The agency is questioning whether the program has “achieved” its connectivity objectives for schools and libraries, and whether it should be “reoriented” or “narrowed.”
Government groups call for $300M to fund cyber grant program
Various state and local organizations urged the Senate in an open letter to appropriate the money for Fiscal Year 2027 to the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.
States must consider future of broadband offices
Some state offices risk sunsetting prematurely, before the deployment of billions in federal funds.
REPORT: How states can help close growing gaps in LGBTQ+ data
State-level data on LGBTQ+ issues is becoming increasingly important amid the federal government’s efforts to limit its collection and presence, experts say.
