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FCC Creates Public Database to Track Compliance with New Robocall-Killing Program
Telephone service providers must implement the new STIR/SHAKEN framework by the end of June and certify compliance in a new publicly available database.
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Most States Held Off Draining Savings in Response to Pandemic
Only 15 tapped rainy day funds in fiscal 2020 and reserves remained near record levels. Now, better-than-expected tax revenues and federal aid could limit the need for further withdrawals.
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South Carolina Brings Back the Firing Squad for Executions
Amid a lethal injection drug shortage, the state has put no inmates to death in a decade. Those on death row must now choose between the electric chair and firing squad if drugs are unavailable.
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Senate Bills Aim to Grow Federal Tech-Ready Workforce—and the Government’s Transparency About its AI Use
Lawmakers moved to operationalize suggestions made by a Congressionally-mandated AI commission.
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Not All Jobs Are Coming Back Post Covid: How States Can Help Retrain Workers
Rhode Island’s Back to Work program focuses reskilling workers through partnerships with local industries for in-demand jobs.
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GSA Seeks Industry Input on Governmentwide Cloud BPA
Industry has until May 24 to offer feedback.
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State, Local Governments Could Get $500M to Expand Cybersecurity
A bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced a bill this week that would create a grant program to bolster cyber defenses across the U.S.
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Biden Issues Executive Order to Bolster Nation’s Cybersecurity
The administration calls for a standardized federal playbook and review board for incident response, as well as changes to software procurement.
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DOD Not Prioritizing Development of GPS Alternatives, GAO Says
Despite known vulnerabilities with GPS tech, the department treats developing other position, navigation and timing technologies as an “afterthought,” officials said.
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Survey: 1 in 3 Experience Slow Service Engaging With Government
Despite progress, a recent survey indicates agencies still have room to improve service delivery.
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Senate Committee Clashes over Sweeping Election Reform Bill
Lawmakers failed to advance the For the People Act out of committee, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to bring the bill to the floor anyhow.
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Senators Cite Colonial Pipeline Hack in Calling for Cyber Response and Recovery Fund
A hearing on federal agencies’ response to the SolarWinds hack drew attention to communication issues, both with the private sector and within the government.
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Pentagon Publishes Five Data Decrees
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks also mandated assessments of certain data efforts in a May 5 memo.
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The Cities and Counties Getting the Biggest Sums of Federal Aid
The Treasury Department will begin distributing $350 billion in state and local pandemic recovery money this month. Funding for individual localities ranges widely between places, from thousands of dollars up into the billions.
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Energy Department Leading White House Interagency Response to Pipeline Attack
The hack highlights jurisdictional issues on pipeline cybersecurity.
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DHS Drops Proposal to Expand Immigration-Related Biometrics Collection
The Biden administration withdrew the controversial rule, which garnered more than 5,000 comments when it was proposed last fall.
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Federal Tech-Focused Officials Are on the Move
Both new and familiar faces are taking on information technology-aligned positions.
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Treasury to Begin Distribution of $350 Billion for State, Local Governments
The guidance released Monday gives governments wide latitude in spending American Rescue Plan funds.
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States, Cities Begin to Order Workers Back to the Office
The ACLU is challenging a directive from South Carolina’s governor that requires state employees to return to in-person work. Other state and local orders are under fire as well.
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