Digital Government

IRS seeks states’ input on its direct file pilot

States have until Sept. 4 to tell the IRS if they’re interested in participating.

Modernization

Budget and tech challenges loom over IRS's direct file pilot

The news of the forthcoming pilot was followed this week by a compromise debt ceiling bill that includes reallocating $20 billion of the funding the IRS got as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Digital Government

Trust Will Be Key for US Notify—a Federal Text Message Service for State Benefits

The text service will be the first project to come out of the General Services Administration’s new Public Benefits Studio.

Cybersecurity

Public Entities in Nearly Every State Use Federally-Banned Foreign Tech, Report Says

A new report from Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology found that at least 1,681 state and local governments purchased equipment from five Chinese companies that were banned by the federal government between 2015 and 2021.

Cybersecurity

White House Announces $1B in Cyber Funding for State and Local Governments

The four-year grant program, included in last year’s infrastructure law, will help states and local communities “strengthen their cyber resilience.”

Cybersecurity

Legislation Promoting Cyber Collaboration Between DHS and States Awaits Biden Signature

The legislation would improve information sharing between federal cybersecurity authorities and state and local governments.

Cybersecurity

New cybersecurity bill authorizes DHS to ramp up incident response efforts nationwide

The National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act gives the Department of Homeland Security a range of opportunities to bolster cybersecurity preparedness at the state and local level, including and technical assistance services.

Ideas

Infrastructure Law’s Digital Equity Goals Are Key to Smart Cities that Work for Everyone

Smart cities promise a shining future, but without deliberate efforts to include underserved communities they can worsen the digital divide.

Digital Government

GAO: Better Data Collection Can Improve Homelessness Estimates

Auditors suggest the Housing and Urban Development Department can improve its homeless estimates by gathering better data at the local level.

Modernization

The struggle to modernize state UI systems

The Labor Department and the U.S. Digital Service are taking a central role in efforts to develop modernized, modular UI technology for states.

Digital Government

2020 Census May Have Missed More Than 1.6M Residents

New research from the Urban Institute found that minorities were likely underrepresented in the population count, leaving some states with a windfall of federal funding while others came up short.

Digital Government

Elections Officials Are Still Receiving Death Threats and Harassment About the 2020 Election. They’re Asking Congress For Help.

Three state and local election officials testified before a Senate committee about their terrifying experiences since last year’s election in support of proposed voting reform legislation.

Cybersecurity

Most Local Governments Provide Cyber Awareness Training. Why Do 25% Let Elected Leaders Opt Out?

A new survey from the CompTIA Public Technology Institute highlights cybersecurity concerns among municipal IT professionals, including remote work and rising insurance premiums.

Emerging Tech

Texas Republicans Want to Make the State the Center of the Cryptocurrency Universe

North America’s largest bitcoin mine sits just down the road from the old aluminum plant, about 60 miles northeast of Austin.

Cybersecurity

Natural Disasters Can Set the Stage for Cyberattacks

Indiana and some other state and local governments are trying to prepare by holding drills or creating preparedness plans.

Digital Government

Lack of Diversity in the Government Workforce Can Lead to Retention and Trust Issues

African Americans and Hispanics are underrepresented among managers and professionals, and women are underrepresented among chief administrative officers, according to a report.