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IBM reworked its hiring after realizing that “there’s over 700,000 [unfilled] tech jobs… there are only about 70,000 [candidates] with a computer science degree.” The new apprenticeship program hopes to bridge the gap.
Florida’s supervisor of elections has divulged a previously unreported ransomware virus in the elections department just weeks before the 2016 election. As the state preps for March primaries, concerns of security are amplified.
After trying Internet voting for overseas voters, West Virginia is expanding the option for those with physical disabilities. But MIT researchers now say they’ve found worrying flaws in the app the state has been using.
Boulder, Colo., wants to raise minimum wage, but the County Commissioners have touted benefits of a regional increase. State law allows wages to increase but limits the number of increases that can happen across the state.
California voters have the opportunity to vote in March on a $15 billion school bond, the largest in state history. Many believe it’s a good investment in future education, but others question the long-term payment plan.
Originally, analysis predicted that the General Assembly would cut state income tax by $550 million, but that number has since been updated. “Regaining the state’s fiscal footing will allow for investments in the future.”
Driverless cars and trucks could provide many benefits, from safer highways to improved mobility, but widespread adoption could shrink the vehicle-related revenue streams that states rely on.
California is working to consolidate all of its geographical data, with the longer-term goal of providing a central portal for everything. It's a chance to enrich governmental collaboration.
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said as she proposed creating a new federal agency, Data Protection Agency, that would be responsible for protecting online user privacy. The U.S. is one of the few developed nations that does not have a third-party privacy watchdog. “As the data privacy crisis looms larger over the everyday lives of Americans, the government has a responsibility to step forward and give Americans meaningful protection over their data and how it’s being used.” (The Hill — February 13, 2020)
The age of Chuck Yeager. The former U.S. Air Force pilot, officer and flying ace who broke the sound barrier early in the space race was born on yesterday's date in 1923. Coincidentally, NASA announced yesterday that it would open the next class of astronaut applications from March 2 to 31. Minimum requirements include U.S. citizenship, an advanced STEM degree, and at least 1,000 hours as pilot-in-command of a jet aircraft. Members of the incoming class of astronauts could be candidates who could fly missions to the International Space Station, the moon or even Mars.
Carroll County is just one county with drone laws that conflict with the state of Maryland’s laws, and nobody knows which ones to follow. If the laws aren’t sorted out, local governments could struggle in legal battles.
The state wants to create a workforce that can support the growing number of financial service employers; Florida State College’s grant will help move them toward that goal. Officials hope this will keep tech talent in the state.
In December the Connecticut DMV issued the needed approval to Tesla, allowing it to lease vehicles in the state. Officials and residents alike are pleased with the change and “applaud Tesla for its persistence.”
Health-care apps are changing the way many people interact with medical providers. While the health-care industry is trying to be more consumer friendly, many don’t think apps deliver the same quality of care.
The high-speed line that will run through the state is now estimated to cost $80.3 billion and still plans to meet the federal deadline of laying track by 2022. “We don’t think that now is the time to turn back.”
The newest generation in wireless networking represents a major boost in both capacity and speed, opening the door to transformative public services. But the technology is both costly and controversial even as states and localities begin to legislate and regulate around 5G.
Simon Peters, an eToro crypto analyst, said of bitcoin’s 5 percent increase to over $10,400. The increase happened just after the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said “Every major central bank is currently taking a deep look” at cryptocurrency options. Bitcoin has increased 44 percent since the beginning of 2020. (Business Insider — February 12, 2020
The price that Amazon paid for the Old Chicago amusement park and megamall site, which will probably be refitted for a fulfillment or customer service center, though Amazon hasn’t yet confirmed its future function. “This land purchase in Bolingbrook provides us with the flexibility to quickly respond to our future network needs.”
The Los Angeles Fire Department is spending $1.2 million for an electric fire truck, which will be able to run for two hours on electric power before using diesel. The fire engine will hit the streets next year.
Kingsburg, Calif., expects to build a call center for the newly merged T-mobile, Sprint company that foresees employing more than 1,000 people. The center hopes to be fully staffed and operational by 2022.
Madison, Wis., proposed an ordinance that would make electric vehicle (EV) charging stations easier to install and, by extension, encourage more residents to buy EVs. “It’s an investment in the future.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approved deployment of 5,000 driverless, electric delivery vehicles on California streets, reviving debate in Congress over need for regulation of autonomous transportation.
Big tech companies like Amazon and Apple are building Culver City, Calif., into a media hub and the city is wondering if the business tax needs a fresh look. While a tax bump would increase revenues, it raises the risk that some businesses would leave.
It gets harder from here. Getting modernization efforts right and avoiding project failures requires that the people at the top of an organization feel comfortable with technology.
It shouldn't be just for announcing meetings, holiday office closures or road construction. Local governments should see platforms like Twitter and Facebook as powerful tools for building community, not just posting city hall selfies.
Once hailed for innovation and transformation, the tech industry is in the midst of a backlash. With growing public concern over privacy and the threat to existing jobs, expect to see more government regulation.
Amy Keating, chief legal officer for Mozilla, said of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to repeal Obama-era net neutrality regulations. The regulations were again denied last month by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. (The Hill — February 7, 2020)
The amount that Pacific Gas and Electric Co. wants its customers to pay as a reimbursement for the company’s fire-prevention work that it has done in response to extreme weather and large wildfires over the past several years. The amount would translate to increased monthly bills by about $5 or $10 for about two years for the average customer. The California Public Utilities Commission still has to respond to the utility’s request.
Stamford, Conn., began using an electronic vehicle-immobilization device, ‘Smart Boot,’ a year ago to make drivers pay for their parking tickets. Since implementation, there has been a drastic increase in payments.
Louisiana has been the target of several cyberattacks over the past few months and the state has worked urgently to figure out how to protect itself. Measures may go beyond stronger cybersecurity systems.
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