State and Federal Relations
USDA proposes chip tech requirements for electronic benefit transfer cards
While the proposed rule holds promise to reduce fraud and theft in food and cash assistance programs, observers raised concerns that the rule could create too many burdens for states to administer benefits.
Commenters largely oppose 2030 Census overhaul, analysis finds
Nearly 90% of the over 126,000 published comments expressed dislike of the proposal.
Extended ADA Title II deadline demands a focus on procurement
COMMENTARY | What may first appear to have been a respite now is a tight timeline for getting accessibility right and meeting compliance requirements.
Utah files criminal charges against Kalshi over operations within the state
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission also filed a lawsuit against Utah, adding to a now long list of legal fights between the state and prediction market platforms.
DHS secretary plans post-election security review
Markwayne Mullin told CISA employees he wants to assess election systems after the vote, as the agency faces scrutiny over cuts to its support for states.
White House takes Texas water cybersecurity model to rural hospitals
Project Lifeline 250 will provide free cybersecurity assistance to South Carolina hospitals, extending the administration’s effort to connect vulnerable infrastructure operators with industry support.
States navigating a ‘critical time’ of Medicaid changes amid midterm elections, expert says
State officials and observers across the U.S. are voicing their concerns about the tight compliance deadline for implementing new Medicaid requirements and the unclear path ahead.
This cybersecurity agency is supposed to protect U.S. elections. Officials fear it’s been compromised by Trump.
President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget proposal would reduce funding for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency by another $700 million, which could necessitate 900 additional layoffs.
Schools, libraries say E-Rate’s ‘ongoing’ work should continue
In comments filed with the FCC, hundreds of school districts and libraries said the program is vital, and tweaking it would blow holes in local budgets that would be impossible to plug.
Officials see gaps in election communications as AI makes foreign influence easier
Sources describe weakening cooperation between the federal government and state and industry partners ahead of the midterms, as AI gives foreign operatives cheaper ways to produce and spread deceptive messages.
Fears about kids’ online safety unite Democrats and Republicans
Amid a decline in youth mental health, momentum builds for a federal crackdown on social media companies over protections for kids.
New Mexico attorney general and state lawmaker announce push to rein in rogue AI models
The bill would create a new Office of Online Safety Monitor within the New Mexico Department of Justice tasked with enforcing new requirements imposed on large AI companies.
Renewed CISA support comes too late for midterm prep, some election officials say
Arizona still plans to accept federal help on Election Day, while officials warn that staffing cuts have weakened relationships and left smaller jurisdictions with fewer resources.
‘Trust issue’ means states will keep regulating privacy, lawmaker says
Opponents of state action have called for Congress to pass a national data privacy law, which has been unsuccessful so far. Residents are scared of tech and AI and want help, a Virginia delegate argued.
Supreme Court OKs use of federal citizenship tool to vet voters, but midterm impact will be limited
The ruling is a victory for Trump’s efforts to give the federal government a larger role in election administration.
State efforts to fill the ‘void’ left by the federal Direct File are underway
Nearly a year after the free, government-backed tax filing service from the IRS ended, states are trying to replicate it or find other ways to make tax filing easier for residents.
CISA pledges election security support after cuts weakened ties with states
A new plan emphasizes threat sharing and coordination ahead of the midterms, but does not explain how those commitments fit with proposed cuts to dedicated election security funding.
Feds target school internet subsidies in ed-tech backlash even as Trump touts AI
Federal regulators are scrutinizing E-Rate school internet subsidies in the name of controlling screen time. School district leaders fear the fallout.
Do data centers need a ‘national strategy that puts communities first’?
The House passed a bill to mandate that state regulators have a strategy to have large consumers pay for their own power. But plenty of work lies ahead.
BEAD’s job is both ‘easier’ and ‘harder’ amid funds release, research finds
States will soon be able to connect unserved locations, but several reports warned that a lot of hard work remains ahead to truly close the digital divide.
