Legislature Approves Audit of CDT Oversight Role
The California Joint Legislative Audit Committee has approved an audit request by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris to examine the California Department of Technology’s role in the oversight of state IT projects.
Digital Equity Legislation to Create California Connect Corps
Under pending legislation, California will create a State Digital Equity Plan to help close the Digital Divide and allow it to participate in a massive federal spending program to create affordable and accessible broadband connectivity.
What is Challenge-Based Procurement?
What is a challenge-based procurement? Former San Francisco Chief Innovation Officer and City Innovate Co-CEO Jay Nath talks with Christina about new approaches to technology procurement. Watch the 10-minute interview here.
What happens if California does not repay federal unemployment funds?
Christina Gagnier talks with Tom Sheehy, Principal at the Sheehy Strategy Group and former California Department of Finance executive, about efforts to pay back federal funding that kept the claims system running. They also discuss a potential tax increase on employers if federal funding is not repaid.
Smart Health Cards, Open-Source Technology and What’s Next for California’s Chief Technology Innovation Officer
Last fall, California successfully launched a digital vaccine card and shared the code with other states -- it's a success story on rapid deployment and open-source technology. Rick Klau, the state's chief technology innovation officer gives GovReport Host Christina Gagnier the backstory and talks about what's next for the California Department of Technology. Watch the 14-minute interview here.
Photos: Government Innovation California – Feb. 22, 2022
The Government Innovation California conference was held on February 22, 2022, in Sacramento. More than 175 attendees registered for the day-long conference that featured speakers from state and local governments and technology companies. Based in Toronto, Canada, Public Sector Network hosted the event, the organization's first in California.
Are procurement policies keeping up with ever-evolving technology in government?
The GovReport host Christina Gagnier interviews Assembly Member Lloyd Levine (Ret.) about technology procurement processes in government, digital literacy, and improving broadband access for underserved communities, among other important topics. Watch the 12-minute interview here.
M Corp CEO Alex Castro Discusses Book on Strategic Initiatives with Christina Gagnier
The GovReport Host Christina Gagnier talks with Alex Castro, CEO of Sacramento-based M Corp, about his book Measure, Execute, Win! Avoiding Strategic Initiative Debacles and Knowing What Your Business Can and Can't Do. Watch the 10-minute interview.
Former State CIO Carlos Ramos Talks About User-Centered Services, Broadband Adoption and Silver Linings from the Pandemic
Former State Chief Information Officer Carlos Ramos talks with Christina Gagnier about his recent appointment to the Board of the California Emerging Technology Fund. They also discuss his views on public service, customer-centric digital services, challenges to broadband adoption, some silver linings from the pandemic, and the overall use of technology to serve the people of California. Watch the short interview here.
Implementing artificial intelligence in your government program? Here’s where you should start.
When it comes to implementing and utilizing artificial intelligence in government programs, what should be top of mind for officials? According to Jennifer Watkins, managing principal at strategy firm Anewd.ai, program executives should “begin with the end in mind.” The GovReport Host Christina Gagnier talks with Watkins about various challenges and how to achieve success in the public sector. Watch the 10-minute interview here.
Veteran tech leader Chris Cruz to retire from public service
After serving for two years as San Joaquin County CIO, Chris Cruz is leaving public service to join a private sector firm, he confirmed.
Governor Appoints Ana Lasso as new DGS Director
Ana M. Lasso, 44, of Whittier, has been appointed Director of the Department of General Services. Lasso has served as Exposition Park General Manager at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2014.
Gov. Newsom appoints senior positions at CDT
CalPERS Chief Information Security Officer, and former CIO, Liana Bailey-Crimmins has been appointed chief technology officer, Google Ventures Senior Operating Partner Richard Klau has been appointed chief technology innovation officer, and Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation CIO Russ Nichols has been appointed chief deputy director for the department and deputy state CIO for the State of California.
Bill would require all public meetings to have online option
The global pandemic has inspired a new legislative proposal to permanently provide public access, via internet-based and call-in options, to all public meetings across California.
Governor announces key energy agency appointments
Gov. Newsom made several appointments to key energy agencies this week. Darcie Houck to the CPUC, Sivia Gunda to the California Energy Commission, and Mary Leslie and Jan Schiori to the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Board. Details of the announcement included: Darcie Houck, 51, of Davis, has been appointed to the California Public Utilities Commission. Houck has served as Chief Counsel for the California Energy Commission since 2019. She was an Administrative Law Judge at the California Public Utilities Commission from 2016 to 2019, a Partner at Fredericks Peebles & Morgan from 2005 to 2016 and Staff Counsel and [...]
PG&E Warns 500,000 Customers of PSPS
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) warned late on Friday (10/23), that nearly half a million of its customers to lose power amid planned Public Power Safety Shutt-offs (PSPS) as early as Sunday. If the PSPS takes place, this would be the 5th this year for utility and the third in consecutive weeks. PG&E revealed further stated that this time the PSPS could place impact nearly half a million homes and businesses or roughly 1.5 million people in 38 counties across Northern and Central California.
CAISO Calls Statewide FlexAlert
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has called a Statewide FlexAlert for today, seeking statewide energy conservation from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m., as the National Weather Service predicts high heat across the State.
PG&E Begins Shutting off Power in 3rd PSPS Event of 2020
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has just announced that the utility has initiated a Public Safety Power Shutoff's (PSPS) to areas of 24 counties in Northern California.
PG&E Says PSPS to Begin Today, Could Last 3 Days, 24 Counties Affected
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) updated its possible Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) alert this morning, stating that they continue to monitor a potentially strong and dry offshore wind event forecasted to start Wednesday evening. Given the expected conditions, PG&E began its one-day advance notifications to customers in areas where PG&E may need to proactively turn power off for safety to reduce the risk of wildfire from energized power lines.
PG&E Warns of 3rd PSPS Event of the Year for Northern California
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) today issued a press release warning its customers that the third Public Power Safety Shutoff (PSPS) of the year may be called this week, as a result of a forecast of high winds and dry conditions coupled with temperatures reaching the mid 90’s. PG&E stressed that the most difficult period this week could be Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. However, PG&E also stated that a second event may materialize on Thursday afternoon and could last through Friday. PSPS events are designed to reduce the threat of wildfires that could be caused by high winds and [...]
