The state of California technology procurement: ‘A never-ending project’
As Gov. Newsom’s second term and tenure as governor nears an end, the GovReport spoke with current and former state technology leaders, including some now on the vendor side, to gauge whether the Newsom administration has achieved its goal and what obstacles remain. The broad consensus is that the big ship that is California is slowly turning in the right direction, but that an emphasis on compliance, which stifles procurement innovation, persists.
California Making Progress with Mapping Technology
An updated mapping tool to identify communities impacted by pollution in California has won high praise from the Little Hoover Commission, which in 2019 criticized the state for a lack of GIS leadership and multi-agency collaboration.
California Updates Telework Policy Amid Crisis
For the first time in more than 10 years, California has updated its telework policy for state employees. The Government Operations Agency posted the new policy on its website last week.
Data Consent Utility Offers Hope to Improve Government Services
Data siloed between government agencies have long prevented programs from doing their best work to serve people more holistically, whether they are participating in the CalFresh program, utilizing the state’s digital vaccine record portal, or signed up for numerous services across California. A data-sharing system in which individuals can allow or deny the exchange of their personal information across various programs and domains could streamline processes and facilitate access to care for other programs for those who need them.
California to Pilot ‘Digital ID Ecosystem’
As part of its Vision 2023, state technology officials are proposing a system to enable California residents to use a single username and password to access any state government service online. The system would allow users to easily update their information, as needed, on a single website.
Californians May Soon Have Option for Digital Driver’s License
Some California residents may soon have the option of having a digital version of their driver’s license that can be stored in their smartphone.
Advocates push to fight algorithm bias in state contracts
They are used in virtually every sector, helping decision-makers mete out punishment, choose a medical treatment, price on a product or hire a new team member, for example. Algorithms, also called automated decision systems (ADS), are both ubiquitous and powerful, but to most invisible. And critics say because of the way they are created they can be biased, and serve to perpetuate racial discrimination, economic disenfranchisement, and loss of opportunity.
Cradle to Career Data System Moves Closer to Reality
The architects of the first phase of the California Cradle-to-Career Data System have submitted the second of three reports outlining plans to connect data across various segments of education to benefit students and to inform educators and legislators in their policy and decision-making.
Golden State’s tech vision explained
Amid a surging pandemic that has ravaged the livelihoods of millions of Californians, and as the state struggles to fix flaws in the unemployment claims system, the state Department of Technology (CDT) has released its strategic plan. It envisions “easy-to-use, accessible and reliable public services that are ready and available wherever and whenever needed,” according to state Chief Information Officer Amy Tong.
Digital future envisioned in governor’s budget
In his 2013 book “Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom, laid out a bold vision for transformation of the state’s aging – and often failing – technology infrastructure. The goal was to improve how state services function and are delivered to better meet the needs of state government and of Californians.
What’s the future of blockchain in California?
For better or worse, this year’s pandemic will have a permanent impact on government operations, including the promise of a more efficient, environmentally-friendly telecommuting workforce, and a stress-tested digital infrastructure to support staff and serve Californians. Will this spirit of resilience and innovation translate to other areas in the Golden State?
Stewards of Change Institute teams with Stanford University on Equity Initiative
The not-for-profit think tank Stewards of Change Institute (SOCI) and the Stanford University Center for Population Health Sciences have joined forces on a year-long effort combining academic research, data collection and collaboration with people across multiple sectors to identify systems-level changes that can fundamentally improve population health.
