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Judge Blocks Maryland from Cutting Federal Unemployment
Twenty-six states plan to stop providing supplemental $300-a-week unemployment payments before the program ends in September. Jobless workers in five states have challenged the decisions.
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This Week in Federal Funding
In the July 13 edition we talk with Erie County, New York executive Mark Poloncarz about plans there for $124 million in recovery spending. And we have a roundup of ARPA action in Alabama, Virginia, Milwaukee and St. Louis.
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Cybersecurity Funding Faces Political Clash During Appropriations Markup
Republican lawmakers continue to withhold support for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency until their immigration concerns are addressed.
Nextgov
CISA Issues Mitigation Tips for Common Attack Tactics
The agency assessed 37 federal agencies, and state, local and tribal governments last year to see how they are typically exploited.
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Rhode Island Becomes First State to OK Drug Injection Sites
Advocates say sites where people can use drugs under supervision can save lives. But cities that have tried to establish such centers have faced opposition from their states and the federal government.
Nextgov
How 3D Printing with Moonrock-Like Material Could Lead to New Space Habitats
New research could also mark a milestone for a sophisticated device that already resides beyond Earth.
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Why the Pentagon’s JEDI Cloud Contract Wasn’t a Total Loss
Experts say the now-canceled project is a reminder that tech acquisitions need flexibility to take into account innovation.
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Purdue Pharma Moves Closer to Opioid Settlement as 15 States Drop Objections
Attorneys general who had been critical of a proposed bankruptcy plan for the OxyContin manufacturer said they would agree to a deal that requires significant public disclosure from the company.
Nextgov
More Underestimated Infrastructure Costs Could Raise VA EHR Price Tag $2.5B
The latest inspector general report shows more underreported infrastructure costs for the electronic health record program, prompting lawmakers to call a hearing for later this month.
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How USPTO’s First Emerging Tech Director Is Approaching the Nascent Role
Jerry Ma recently offered a glimpse into his first months with the agency.
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As Variant Spreads, Some Regions Bring Back Mask Advisories
In St. Louis and Los Angeles, officials are urging vaccinated residents to wear masks as cases of the Delta strain of Covid-19 are on the rise.
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IG: SBA’s Cybersecurity ‘Not Effective,’ In Part Due to COVID
The pandemic created new cybersecurity problems for the Small Business Administration, according to the agency’s annual FISMA report.
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Pandemic Growth Led This State to Slash Taxes, Issue Rebates
Tax policy experts and state officials believe Idaho’s rapid economic growth will offset the tax cuts, making them feasible under federal funding rules.
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This Week in Federal Funding
In the July 6 edition we look at how states have approached their American Rescue Plan Act allotments so far.
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Pentagon Cancels JEDI Cloud Contract
The Defense Department will opt for a new multibillion-dollar, multi-vendor contract.
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Financing Plan for Infrastructure Agreement Called into Question
Finance experts say the plan to pay for the infrastructure proposal, in part by clawing back unspent Covid relief funds, is unlikely to cover the full cost.
Nextgov
VA Secretary: Changes Coming to Electronic Health Records Program
Secretary Denis McDonough just completed a months-long strategic review of the multibillion-dollar EHR modernization program.
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A 50-year-old Unemployment System (Finally) Nears an Overhaul
Wisconsin officials have said the outdated computer technology contributed to problems processing claims during the pandemic. Now they’re looking for bids to revamp it.
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Better Customer Experience a Priority for State, Local IT Post Pandemic
Experts testified before a U.S. House committee about government digital services, noting the pandemic pushed long-standing information technology issues to the forefront.
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