Author Archive
Stephanie Kanowitz
Digital Government
Lessons from one state’s effort to modernize its criminal justice system
New York’s sweeping 2020 law sought to accelerate pre-trial processes with technology upgrades. But the state’s experience offers lessons for other jurisdictions undertaking similar efforts to modernize the justice system.
Management
Graying prisons face accelerating health care needs
Rapidly growing numbers of older inmates with diabetes, dementia and liver disease are forcing states to reevaluate early release policies and the social safety nets that might prevent incarceration.
Workforce
Job opportunities targeting workers with ADHD and autism gain traction
North Carolina wants to attract more neurodivergent people to IT work. It is one of many such initiatives in government.
Digital Government
How generative AI is being used to put the humanity back into government
Non-English speaking residents of Minnesota can more easily access driver and vehicle services thanks to a new generative AI-based virtual assistant that automatically translates English into Hmong, Spanish and Somali.
Cybersecurity
How one state pushes cybersecurity to local agencies
Arizona’s whole-of-state cybersecurity program gives local governments free access to cloud-based cybersecurity tools—an approach that extends security and helps build a problem-solving community.
Emerging Tech
State shifts mobile driver’s licenses into higher gear
Thanks to the growing adoption of smartphone wallets and mobile payment technologies like Apple Pay and Google Pay, Colorado officials expect the state’s mDL to gain wide acceptance.
Digital Government
Data helps some states boost renewals amidst Medicaid unwinding
Ex parte renewals, or those that use available data sources to redetermine Medicaid eligibility without requiring information from the individual, place the burden on the system—not on the participants or staff.
Management
Ways procurement can push efficiency and sustainability
By wringing more efficiency out of the buying process and building sustainability into statewide contracts, California’s Department of General Services aims to help the state meet its aggressive sustainability goals.
Finance
States put buying power to work for local governments
When states drive cooperative procurements, local agencies can take advantage of volume discounts, experienced contracting officers and a streamlined process.
Public Safety
How one city streamlined emergency evacuations
Officials in Berkeley, California, can send mass messages as well as targeted, zone-based evacuation alerts, cutting the city’s alert time from hours to minutes.
Digital Government
How to bake data-based evaluations into relief programs
A new initiative looks to help local leaders alleviate poverty and advance economic mobility using data to invest in evidence-based programs and evaluate innovative ideas.
Featured eBooks
Digital Government
Cities extract mobility insights from ride-hailing company data
With access to real-time mobility data from a variety of sources, cities can improve transit efficiency and meet sustainability, accessibility and equity goals.
Digital Government
In-house tools sped up tax refunds in this county
The Travis County, Texas, Auditor’s Office has reduced the time it takes to process property tax audits by 91%.
Digital Government
How one city broke down its data silos
Tacoma, Washington, is using the cloud to bridge information silos across its 25 distinct departments and improve reporting.
Infrastructure
Air taxis are taking off. Cities should start planning now.
A new report can help cities weigh safety, access and equity considerations when deciding where to locate air taxi hubs.
Digital Government
How One State Tracks Down Cartographic ‘Phantoms’
To improve the accuracy of its maps, the Wisconsin State Cartographer’s Office is weeding out small rural communities that no longer exist.
Workforce
How Targeted Emails Help One Agency Fill Critical Jobs
The Oregon Department of Transportation is using data software to target recruitment emails to potential job candidates.
Emerging Tech
How AI Is Making One Smart City Even Smarter
Coral Gables, Florida, is leveraging the artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, to improve how it responds and interacts with citizens.
Digital Government
Damage Assessment Tool Streamlines Data Collection for Disaster Prep, Response, Recovery
Hurricane season is officially underway, and one county in Florida is looking to utilize the cloud to build on lessons learned during one of the state's most devastating hurricanes.
Digital Government