| MOST POPULAR DHS Chips In for Local Cyber Efforts
Given the rise of ransomware and other attacks on government that have only grown in number in the past year, a bipartisan bill introduced in the House this week seeks to use federal resources to help local governments shore up cybersecurity efforts. The State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act would create a $400 million grant program allowing communities nationwide to finance cybersecurity work through the Department of Homeland Security. GT writer Lucas Ropek details how the program aims to help cities and counties with tight budgets boost their defenses. Broadband for All?
Despite the growing consensus that ensuring high-speed Internet for all communities is a critical part of good government, reactions to the Federal Communications Commission’s approval of the $20.5 billion Rural Digital Opportunity fund have not all been rave reviews. The issue is around the first phase of funding disbursal, which would go to communities deemed by the Census to have zero broadband service. The problem? If even one single-person household in an area has high-speed Internet, the whole region is disqualified from receiving the money. "This effort has been pushed out so fast I fear we are only starting to understand what is not workable in this framework," FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement. "We are making so much up as we go along." We talked to state and local broadband advocates to get their take. Transit Talk
At the Fremont Mobility Summit in the San Francisco Bay Area last week, transit officials looked at new ways to tackle the gridlocked traffic that has come with the region’s soaring job growth in recent years. The city of Fremont’s Mobility Action Plan aims to address the imbalance between new jobs and a lack of housing. Speakers floated ideas like traffic signal modernization and improved access to transit, walking and biking to offset the number of cars on the roads. In other Bay Area news, the Pittsburg, Calif., Unified School District announced a partnership with the local Contra Costa Transportation Authority and autonomous shuttle maker Local Motors to add AV maintenance and repair to the school curriculum. And Speaking of Workforce…
Center for Digital Government Co-Directors Teri Takai and Phil Bertolini this week offered insight into how the public sector can compete with private companies to hire young tech talent, change how workers perceive government and engage in cultural shifts that will attract a new generation. | 