2025

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State and Local Governments Use the Shared Responsibility Model for Cyber Resilience

State Tech Magazine

Cyberattacks targeting state and local power grids, communication systems, transportation networks, and other critical U.S. infrastructure have risen dramatically in recent months. These attacks, frequently attributed to foreign threat actors from countries such as China or Iran, pose risks for state and local governments. Attacks range from ransomware and data breaches to more insidious cyber espionage, resulting in severe operational disruptions and substantial financial implications.

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Enhance productivity with Amazon Bedrock Agents and Powertools for AWS Lambda

AWS Public Sector Blog

The public sector faces unique challenges that demand innovative solutions to improve productivity and service delivery. Large language models (LLMs) have shown great promise in various applications, but their true potential is unlocked when they can access real-time informationsuch as current data, time, weather, or breaking events. This capability is crucial for effective public sector planning and decision-making.

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How Can Political Conflict in Adversarial Policy Networks Promote their Coordination?

Policy & Politics Journal blog

by Jeongyoon Lee and David Lee Policy actors often clash during policy processes, especially in contentious areas like climate change, gun control, and healthcare reform.

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Federal Government Made an Estimated $162 billion in Improper Payments Last Fiscal Year

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

The federal government reported an estimated $162 billion in payment errorsor improper paymentsduring fiscal year 2024. This marks a steep decline from the prior year$236 billion in FY 2023. This decline was largely due to the termination of or.

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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A top-rated place to live, Gilbert, AZ struggled with outdated short-term rental management—low compliance, lost revenue, and growing administrative strain.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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Education: Whose Job Is It?

Homeroom

By: Scott Yenor In 1982, President Ronald Reagan proposed dismantling the Department of Education, an agency barely two years old. This was not as radical a move for his administration as it may sound to modern ears. Americans were not accustomed to such a massive role for the federal government in education, which had always Continue Reading The post Education: Whose Job Is It?

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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.

More Trending

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DATA GARBAGE IN – AI GARBAGE OUT

Barrett & Greene

For years, weve been writing about the importance of good data, based upon which states, counties and cities can make good decisions. But as a growing number of practitioners and academics are relying on artificial intelligence as a source for all the information in the world (when we were children, the equivalent was the Encyclopedia Brittanica), the necessity of care for the accuracy and completeness of data rises even more in importance The well-written, if sometimes pedantic prose that AI ca

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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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Episode 40: Behind the Scenes of Camp Management

Summer Camp Programming

SHOW NOTES In this episode, Shauna is out with the flu, so Kelie takes the lead and sits down with Dr. Chad Nelson to dive into the fascinating history and ever-changing industry of summer camp. They tackle the big questionis camp a real job?and share invaluable advice for current, veteran, and new camp managers and […] The post Episode 40: Behind the Scenes of Camp Management appeared first on Summer Camp Programming.

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The UK’s quantum clock: Changing military precision and security

Open Access Government - Technology News

A new revolutionary quantum clock developed by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is expected to transform military operations by providing them with more precise timing This new technology is a big leap forward in reducing reliance on GPS, often vulnerable to jamming and disruption, particularly in conflict zones. The quantum clock is more accurate than ever before, it will lose less than one second over billions of year, providing a level of precision that will be

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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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Tech Trends: Cloud Solutions Can Accelerate Artificial Intelligence Adoption

State Tech Magazine

In a brief, West Virginia University notes, A 2022 mainframe failure disrupted West Virginians access to online government resources like health services and risked the states ability to perform basic functions like revenue collection. After the mainframe failure, West Virginia moved its workloads to a private cloud solution. Doing so sped the states IT modernization capabilities, the brief concludes.

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Building zero trust for the Department of Defense: Insights from Les Call, Director of the DoD CIO ZT PfMO

AWS Public Sector Blog

In todays digital landscape, federal agencies face unprecedented challenges in securing their complex information technology (IT) infrastructure. Traditional security models require more efficiency, which is why departments like the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are mandating zero trust architectures across their agencies.

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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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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.

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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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LA’s Traffic Ordinance Went Into Effect 100 Years Ago. It Changed Streets Across America.

Next City

The Ordinance, which prioritized cars on the city’s roadways, quickly became the template for the country.

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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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Federal Agencies Are Poised to Become More Agile Thanks to Cloud

FedTech Magazine

Last year, the Office of Management and Budget released FedRAMP guidance intended to make it easier and faster for federal agencies to put cloud solutions to work. Since the establishment of FedRAMP in 2011, cloud solutions have exploded, and they continue to grow exponentially. In addition, cloud services open the door to emerging technologies for federal organizations, empowering them to quickly innovate and improve productivity.

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Opportunities to Connect Urban Conservation and Vacant Land Stewardship

Center for Community Progress

In many communities, tackling vacant lots can feel like an impossible challenge. Local officials, land banks, and community organizations recognize the importance of finding effective strategies to maintain and repurpose vacant lots to meet community needs. According to the National Land Bank Networks 2023 State of Land Banking Survey, vacant lots account for 86 percent of all land bank properties and half of all survey respondents listed vacant land stewardship as one of their top priorities.

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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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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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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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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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What the Rising Costs of AI Means for Government

State Tech Magazine

Despite some fatigue, artificial intelligence continues to grow into almost every product and service used by all levels of government. The possibilities are exciting, and a growing majority of public employees admit to using AI tools for enhanced productivity and to help them become more creative in how they communicate. They claim AI improves their writing by editing, shortening or expanding their reports.

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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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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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What is the Impoundment Control Act and What is GAO’s Role?

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is the main legal mechanism for the President to seek to delay or permanently cancel federal funding once it has been enacted by Congress. Todays WatchBlog post looks at what an impoundment is and GAOs role under.

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The Changing Landscape of IT Distribution in the Public Sector: A Podcast with Art Richer

Government Technology Insider

From hardware-focused supply chains to cloud-based service models, the distribution landscape has undergone significant changes. Over the past decade, the role of IT in government operations has evolved significantly and public sector IT distribution has adapted to meet these new demands and complexities. In the latest episode of the Government Technology Insider Podcast , host Lucas Hunsicker sat down with former public sector CEO, Art Richer.

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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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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.

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4 Principles to Help Federal Agencies Adopt AI Ethically and Securely

FedTech Magazine

Federal civilian agencies understand that artificial intelligence will be increasingly useful in streamlining and automating complex workloads. They hope to use data-driven insights to enhance decision-making and address thorny problems. The Government Accountability Office reported that 20 of 23 agencies surveyed have about 1,200 current and planned AI cases specific challenges or opportunities that AI may solve.

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Making Community Meetings More Accessible in 2025 with Digital Engagement Tools 

Social Pinpoint

In 2015, I was inspired by the conversations happening at the ELGL (Engaging Local Government Leaders) Annual Conference, specifically the discussions around making local government more accessible. Though I couldnt attend in person, I followed the event closely on Twitter a space that, at the time, felt like a safe haven for open, thoughtful dialogue.

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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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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.