February, 2025

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Navigating a Career in Government with Data and Security Expertise

Careers in Government

In government, data science drives everything from traffic optimization to predicting economic trends. The post Navigating a Career in Government with Data and Security Expertise appeared first on Careers in Government.

Security 276
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To Build Just and Sustainable Cities, We Need To Reclaim Community Banking

Next City

Oscar Perry Abello’s new book, “The Banks We Deserve,” shows how allowing communities to tap into banks’ money-creation power is crucial to addressing our climate, housing and economic crises.

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Another Warning About the Nation’s Fiscal Health and Financial Record Keeping

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

Fiscal year 2024 marked the fifth year in a row that the U.S. saw a budget deficit above $1 trillion. If no action is taken, we project that growing deficits will result in federal debt held by the public (federal debt) reaching its historical high.

Budgeting 359
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Returning to the office? Focus more on practices and less on the policy

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

The working model is far less important than the work environment leaders create. Five core practices can help organizations implement a policy that best fits their culture.

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How Gilbert, AZ Prepares for the Future While Protecting What Makes It Great

A top-rated place to live, Gilbert, AZ struggled with outdated short-term rental management—low compliance, lost revenue, and growing administrative strain. By adopting the GovOS Tax & Compliance suite, the Town: Increased compliance from 40% to 90% Generated over $85K in new revenue Has a single digital system to manage tasks more efficiently With a centralized hub for short-term rental registration and enforcement, Gilbert balances tourism and community needs.

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GAO’s High Risk List Highlights Ways to Save Billions and Help Agencies Work Better

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

At the start of each new Congress, we issue an update to our High Risk List. This list highlights areas across the federal government with serious vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or in need of transformation. Our list has.

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NASCIO: AI,gov and Cybersecurity Are Federal Advocacy Priorities in 2025

State Tech Magazine

In its annual Federal Advocacy Priorities report, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers highlighted the importance of collaboration on artificial intelligence policy and implementation among states, federal agencies, Congress and the White House. States have forged ahead with strategies for AI governance and implementation without waiting for federal action, according to NASCIO, and Congress and federal agencies must remain mindful of efforts at the state level if and when

Advocacy 227

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When crises become the new normal: eroding expert influence during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Policy & Politics Journal blog

by Eric Montpetit, Antoine Claude Lemor, Alejandra Maria Costa, and Louis-Robert Beaulieu-Guay Some might say that people can grow accustomed to almost anythingeven the worst crises.

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Time to Lead

Careers in Government

Good leaders know when their leadership of something is likely to be more helpful than to be a hindrance. The post Time to Lead appeared first on Careers in Government.

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The Hidden Costs of Sticking with Outdated Permitting Software

OpenGov

Outdated technology is one of the biggest roadblocks for local governments. Slow software, clunky processes, and rigid systems dont just make your work harderthey drain resources, frustrate staff, and create […] The post The Hidden Costs of Sticking with Outdated Permitting Software appeared first on OpenGov.

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TRICARE Changes Could Affect Military Servicemembers’ Access to Pharmacies

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

Changes to TRICARE could make it more difficult for military servicemembers and their families to access pharmacies and needed medications. The Department of Defense recently made changes to TRICAREthe militarys health insurance programthat.

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Municipal Maintenance Guide: Inspections

Get this municipal maintenance guide that provides municipalities with a detailed and structured approach to maintaining city infrastructure. This guide outlines systematic inspection procedures and best practices, ensuring the safety, longevity, and operational efficiency of municipal assets. From roadways and bridges to public buildings and utilities, the guide covers all aspects of municipal maintenance.

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Preparing Your IT infrastructure for AI

State Tech Magazine

As more state and local agencies adopt artificial intelligence technology, they face fundamental challenges about what use cases are most valuable and, crucially, what type of IT infrastructure best supports those use cases. A tremendous amount can be done with AI to improve citizen services and empower employees, and you shouldnt be sitting on the sidelines, says Mike Hurt, vice president of state and local government and education for ServiceNow.

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Enabling AI leadership in the age of government efficiency

AWS Public Sector Blog

Global leaders are convening in Germany this week at the annual Munich Security Conference (MSC) to discuss key foreign policy and security challenges. Amid these discussions, one thing is clear: global leadership increasingly hinges on technological progress. In particular, the rapid progress of artificial intelligence (AI) presents an extraordinary opportunity for transformative innovation.

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How Policy Advisors Construct Legitimacy in Challenging Times

Policy & Politics Journal blog

by Andrea Krizsn and Dorottya Fekete In our recent article in Policy & Politics, we delve into the changing context of policy advice in autocratising Hungary.

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The Importance of Soft Skills

Careers in Government

The difference between good and great professionals lies in their soft skills. The post The Importance of Soft Skills appeared first on Careers in Government.

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Empower Digital Government: Strategic Workbook for Modern Transformation

Digital transformation is reshaping government interactions, bringing agencies closer to the communities they serve. However, while many have adopted new digital tools, few have implemented comprehensive strategies to maximize their benefits. Our Strategic Workbook for Modern Government offers a step-by-step guide to developing a sustainable digital strategy.

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Episode 41: Behavior Policies Aren’t Just for Campers?! Navigating Caregiver Expectations with Emily Golinsky

Summer Camp Programming

SHOW NOTES Policies and procedures arent just for campersthey apply to caregivers too! In this episode, Kelie and Shauna welcome back Emily Golinsky of Bright Moose Training to dive into the world of behavior policies and procedures for both campers and their grown-ups. They break down the difference between a policy and a procedure, discuss […] The post Episode 41: Behavior Policies Arent Just for Campers?!

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TANF Trends and Its Oversight—Welfare Assistance Continues to Shift Away from Cash Assistance (interactive graphic)

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

When you think of welfare, youre probably thinking of TANF. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provides a wide array of assistance to families with children in financial need. This includes everything from cash, housing, and utilities to food.

Housing 272
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What Is Retrieval Augmented Generation, and How Are State and Local Agencies Using It?

State Tech Magazine

State and local agencies are using generative artificial intelligence for a wide range of tasks, from modernizing old code to intelligently processing documents and improving the citizen experience by augmenting the capabilities of contact center agents. However, there is a chance that the AI will generate a query response that is factually incorrect.

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Unlock the power of fine-grained access control with Amazon Verified Permissions

AWS Public Sector Blog

Public sector organizations operate in an increasingly complex environment, managing diverse workloads and maintaining a high level of security. These organizations face stringent compliance requirements, and any unauthorized access to protected health information (PHI) or personal identifiable information (PII) can result in legal penalties and reputational damage.

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7 Signs Your Local Government ERP Is Holding You Back: A Guide for Small Municipalities

Local governments and municipalities serving populations under 200,000 face distinctive challenges in delivering efficient and effective services to their communities. To overcome these challenges, many rely on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems tailored to their specific needs. Not all ERP systems are created equal, and some may hinder progress rather than support it.

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Policy feedback and the politics of trade agreements

Policy & Politics Journal blog

by Rodrigo Fagundes Cezar Why do interest groups mobilise to change the design of international institutions?

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The Two Word Phrase That Deepens Relationships and Builds Empathy on Your Team

Careers in Government

Empathy isnt just about asking questionsits about truly listening to the answers. The post The Two Word Phrase That Deepens Relationships and Builds Empathy on Your Team appeared first on Careers in Government.

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Why Business Licensing Is More Than Just Paperwork

OpenGov

Business licensing is more than just an administrative necessityits a critical gateway to economic growth, steady compliance, and consistent community development. Furthermore, having software that offers seamless, simplified workflows encourages […] The post Why Business Licensing Is More Than Just Paperwork appeared first on OpenGov.

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4 Tips for Navigating Challenging Times

GovLoop

Brene Brown once wrote, “One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else’s survival guide. GovLoop recently hosted a panel of career experts and government thought leaders to share their experiences and lessons learned in weathering tumultuous transitions while staying focused on their work and the mission of their organizations.

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ASPA TIMES Magazine: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

PA TIMES Magazine is a publication of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), a not-for-profit corporation. This edition focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in public administration, including guest columns, insights for the field and interviews with city government DEI officers about their work at the local level.

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State and Local Authorities Build Cashless Toll Systems

State Tech Magazine

A pivot to cashless tolling last summer on the 236-mile Kansas Turnpike is already paying dividends for drivers and roadway managers alike. For drivers, the new system means no longer having to slow down or stop to pay their tolls. Traffic is moving more smoothly now, and thats made the turnpike safer for travel. And the benefit to the organization tasked with maintaining this route between Kansas City and the Oklahoma state line?

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New AWS ebook explores cloud technology’s impact on sustainability goals in higher education

AWS Public Sector Blog

Universities and colleges worldwide are embracing sustainability as a cornerstone of their institutional identity and mission. This commitment reflects a growing recognition of higher educations vital role in addressing global and societal impacting challenges. As defined by the United Nations , sustainability encompasses interconnected goals aimed at creating a better and more sustainable future for all, including climate action, responsible consumption, quality education, and social equality.

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Recent Reports of Foodborne Illnesses Highlight Need for Better Food Safety

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

Recent outbreaks of norovirus, as well as a widespread E. coli outbreak at a popular fast-food chain, have highlighted concerns about the safety of our food supply. Every year, tens of millions of Americans get sick from food poisoning. Many cases.

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A Blueprint Matrix for Building Respectful, High-Performing Teams

Careers in Government

An uncompromising work culture is created and maintained through positive behaviors modeled and rewarded. The post A Blueprint Matrix for Building Respectful, High-Performing Teams appeared first on Careers in Government.

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2025 Business Owner Survey: Guide for Cities, Counties, and State Agencies

The 2025 Business Owner Survey delivers key insights for cities, counties, and state agencies working to enhance online services. Top insights: 97% of business owners say digital access to government services is essential. Licensing and tax processes remain outdated, slowing efficiency and increasing administrative burdens. Younger entrepreneurs expect fully online, self-service options, signaling a need for modernization.

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The Smart Road Ahead: How Data-Driven Maintenance Prevents Costly Repairs

OpenGov

Public works departments nationwide are increasingly turning to data to reimagine road maintenance using modern asset management solutions. During our webinar, Get Ahead of the Curve with Proactive Maintenance, we […] The post The Smart Road Ahead: How Data-Driven Maintenance Prevents Costly Repairs appeared first on OpenGov.

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As Government’s Mobile Usage Grows, So Do Cyberthreats

FedTech Magazine

Agencies can enhance their cybersecurity defenses against future attacks by analyzing how attackers target federal employees mobile devices using the modern kill chain. Phishing and social engineering attacks targeting federal mobile devices will become even more prevalent as nation-states mobile malware capabilities evolve. Threat actors, via a pathway known as the modern kill chain, have long identified mobile devices as an effective way to steal federal employee credentials and infiltrate net

Security 107
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Review: Cortex XSOAR Protects Against Common Threats Facing the Public Sector

State Tech Magazine

State and local government agencies possess hoards of valuable data about citizens, businesses, healthcare organizations and other entities. Naturally, this makes them targets for cyberattacks that seek to pilfer data, extort government agencies and commit cyber fraud. The challenge of thwarting cyberattacks is compounded by the fact that local government agencies, in particular, often have limited staff, resources and budget for cybersecurity, despite being under constant threat.

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Artificial Intelligence Action Summit: Ethical questions on the future of AI

Open Access Government - Technology News

Global leaders will tackle crucial ethical questions surrounding AI at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit on February 10-11, 2025 The AI Action Summit will bring together leaders and stakeholders from across the globe to grapple with the complex ethical questions that arise as AI technology rapidly advances offering solutions. The core objective is to forge a path that balances technological progress with societal well-being, focusing on crucial areas such as data privacy, economic impact

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Municipal Maintenance: Ready, Set, Inspect!

Speaker: Noratek

Maintaining municipal operations is no small task, especially when budgets are tight and public expectations are high. In this webinar, we’ll explore how local governments can streamline their maintenance operations while ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency. What You’ll Gain: Proven strategies for effective inspection management Insight into leveraging digital tools Practical tips for addressing common maintenance challenges Examples of municipalities that have achieved success.