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COVID-19 has already hit state and local government hard, and it’s still spreading at a time when it had been predicted to recede. Legislators are trying to keep up with the consequences with a range of new bills.
Sens. Patrick Leahy and Mike Lee, writing in a letter to the attorney general and the director of national intelligence that cited concerns of mass surveillance programs. (The Hill — July 21, 2020)
The amount that Florida will put towards new fast electric vehicle charging stations that will be built this summer and will span over 1,200 miles. The stations will increase the number of publicly available EV chargers in the state by more than 50 percent.
The pandemic has exacerbated the inefficiencies health-care specialists experience when it comes to sharing patient data. For many, a doctor can only treat a patient properly if they have access to all the patient’s information.
The extra $600 each week in federal unemployment benefits that jobless workers have been receiving during the pandemic is scheduled to end soon. Many are wondering what impacts the program’s end will have on the economy.
For weeks, New York was the nation’s largest hot spot of coronavirus cases, but after diligent lockdowns, its numbers have plummeted. Now, California is becoming the nation’s hot spot as case numbers continue to rise.
Amid calls to reduce police funding, a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that in 2017, police spending per capita recovered to its pre-recession peak after years of steady increases.
Sen. Ron Wyden proposed a permanent expansion to telemedicine services to Congress this week, a suggestion that comes after the success of the technology throughout the coronavirus pandemic. (The Hill — July 20, 2020)
The proportion of Hispanic Americans that have had to delay bill payments during the coronavirus pandemic. By contrast, only 14 percent of white Americans have had to delay their payments.
Election officials must work to combat the spread of disinformation ahead of the 2020 elections. Some are working to combat individual incorrect tweets, while others are turning to statewide emails or YouTube ads.
On July 20, California recorded 11,554 COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day number since the week prior’s record. The state’s death toll is also climbing, reaching its worst since the pandemic began.
The House Appropriations Committee has approved billions of dollars for the 2021 fiscal year budget. There is a wide range of expenses that cover many types of technology, including broadband and artificial intelligence.
Lack of water is a huge issue for state Sen. Jamescita Peshlakai’s district, one of many she must juggle for the people she represents. It's why she and her partner don't hesitate to help two thirsty horses.
The emergency has underlined outdated procedures and rules that hamper effective, efficient public purchasing. There are principles for creating better systems that can outlast the current crisis.
Peniel Joseph, one of the nation’s leading civil rights scholars, has studied and written about the history of race and democracy. He has some ideas on how cities and urban areas can begin to dismantle racism.
How the city is using shipping containers to provide affordable and accessible real estate to businesses of color
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Company partners with USDA as the department authorizes online SNAP e-commerce for 13 additional states.
Ramsey County’s commissioner has fought for change in the state for the past three decades through vigorous community engagement. She has marked history with her achievements and now watches her son do the same as mayor of St. Paul.
Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said of law enforcement’s response to continued protests in Portland, Ore. DHS sent officers to Portland after receiving notice about planned attacks on government facilities on July 4. (Reuters — July 20, 2020)
The number of U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who have been fired over their participation in Facebook groups that contained racist and sexist content. Dozens of others have been suspended.
Public transit has severely suffered during this period of social distancing, but experts believe that riders will return because rides are cheap and not everyone who needs transportation can afford a car.
In February, President Trump claimed that reinforcing the border wall would prevent the virus from entering the U.S., but COVID-19 was already beginning to spread in the states. “I don’t think the virus checks on borders.”
In the face of COVID-19, government agencies looked to drones, thermal sensing and other sometimes controversial tech to help track and trace the virus and maintain public health. Will a newfound open-mindedness last?
They've been trying for a long time to attract city dwellers by installing amenities that urbanites crave. COVID-19 fears are providing them with a new opportunity to get it right.
Politics is increasingly nationalized, with more people voting the same way up and down the ballot. With nearly all campaigning and fundraising now happening online, that trend is likely to accelerate.
In fighting for the downtrodden and the forgotten, not only on the national stage but also in local government, he led a life that ought to provide a moral imperative for today's public officials.
Rachel Tobac, CEO of Socialproof Security, speaking of the risks with social media platform hackings, after Twitter was subject to a widespread attack last week. Experts are concerned that the hack only further undermines trust of information that is disseminated through social media. (AP News — July 16, 2020)
The number of Twitter accounts that were compromised in last Wednesday’s attack. Many of the accounts were of politicians and celebrities, including former President Barack Obama and Jeff Bezos. President Trump’s account does not seem to have been affected. The hack appears to have gained more than $100,000 through the Bitcoin giveaway scam.
The new mitigation plan continues to encourage hand-washing and social distancing but also involves localized efforts and increased testing and tracing. The state has said the plan will move backwards if cases spike.
Some states are experiencing delayed test results as thousands of tests from the nation’s hot spots are flooding testing labs. But even when it isn’t competing for lab space, Washington continues to have testing issues.
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