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 government technology procurement. Watch the 10-minute interview here.
What happens if California does not repay federal unemployment funds?
The past two years of the pandemic have had a severe economic impact on California’s unemployment fund, which was depleted due to a massive surge in claims from people losing their jobs. 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 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.
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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 below:
Veteran tech leader Chris Cruz to retire from public service
After serving for two years as San Joaquin County CIO, Chris Cruz, who spent most of his career in high-level positions in California state government, is leaving public service to join a private sector firm, he confirmed.
Cruz left his position as deputy CIO and chief deputy director for the California Department of Technology (CDT) in April 2019. In 2015 he was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to serve as second-in-command with CIO Amy Tong where he managed over 1,000 CDT employees and a budget of more than $400 million.
The move to San Joaquin County ended 15 years of service to California state government for Cruz, including stints as the lead technology officer for the Departments of Food and Agriculture and Health Care Services.
Governor Appoints Ana Lasso as new DGS Director
Gov. Newsom on Friday announced the appointment of Ana Lasso as the new director of the California Department of General Service. Lasso replaces Daniel Kim who left the position in January. Details of the announcement include:
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. She held several positions at the Los Angeles Unified School District from 2006 to 2014, including Program Manager, Director of Planning and Joint Use and Innovation Bond Program, and Senior Planner. Lasso was an Associate at S&Y Capital Group from 2004 to 2006. She held several positions at the Office of Los Angeles Unified School District School Board Member David Tokofsky from 2002 to 2004, including Chief of Staff and Field Operations Director. Lasso earned a Master of City Planning degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lasso is a member of the MIT Alumni Association, UCLA Alumni Association and Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). Lasso is an executive board member and vice chair at the Figueroa Corridor Business Improvement District. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $197,796. Lasso is a Democrat.
Image: LinkedIn.com
Gov. Newsom appoints senior positions at CDT
Governor Newsom on Tuesday appointed two California department CIOs and a Googler to senior positions at the California Department of Technology.
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. Details of the announcement include:
Liana M. Bailey-Crimmins, 51, of Sacramento, has been appointed State Chief Technology Officer at the California Department of Technology. Bailey-Crimmins has been Chief Information Security Officer at the California Public Employees’ Retirement System since 2019, where she was Chief Health Director from 2017 to 2019 and Chief Information Officer from 2013 to 2017. She was Chief Information Officer at California Correctional Health Care Services from 2010 to 2013, where she was Deputy Chief Information Officer from 2008 to 2010. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $180,000. Bailey-Crimmins is registered without party preference.
Richard “Rick” P. Klau, 49, of San Ramon, has been appointed State Chief Technology Innovation Officer at the California Department of Technology. Klau was Senior Operating Partner at Google Ventures from 2011 to 2020. He was Product Manager at Google from 2008 to 2011 and Strategic Partner Development Manager there from 2007 to 2008. He was Vice President of Business Development at FeedBurner from 2005 to 2007. Klau was Vice President of Socialtext from 2004 to 2005. He was Vice President of Vertical Markets at Interface Software from 2001 2004. Klau was Director of Industry Marketing at iManage Inc. from 1999 to 2000. He was Vice President of Marketing and Development at TrailNet from 1997 to 1999. Klau was Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Inherent.Com from 1996 to 1997. Klau earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Richmond School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $180,000. Klau is a Democrat.
Russell J. Nichols, 53, of Cameron Park, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director and Deputy State Chief Information Officer at the California Department of Technology. Nichols has been Director of the Division of Enterprise Information Services at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation since 2015, where he served as Acting Director in 2015 and was Project Director of the Strategic Offender Management System from 2012 to 2014. Nichols was a Data Processing Manager at the Office of California Correctional Health Care Services from 2010 to 2012 and at the California State Controller’s Office from 2007 to 2010, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection from 1999 to 2007 and the Employment Development Department from 1997 to 1999. He served as an Associate Information Systems Analyst for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection from 1992 to 1997, where he was a Programmer from 1990 to 1992. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $186,648. Nichols is a Republican.
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.
Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-25) and Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-58) introduced AB 339 last month to require local and statewide government meetings are available through online services, such as Zoom, for anyone to participate.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the California Legislature adopted such options for the public to participate in hearings at the State Capitol.
The bill also requires translation services for major languages spoken by constituents and creates standards for posting meeting agendas and participation instructions.
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 Policy Advisor at the California Energy Commission from 2000 to 2005. Houck is a member of the California Indian Law Association, California Lawyers Association, Schwartz-Levi Inn of Court, Women Lead and the Association of Women in Water, Energy, and Environment. Houck earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law and a Master of Science degree in community development from the University of California, Davis. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $159,068. Houck is a Democrat.
Siva Gangadhar Gunda, 42, of Davis, has been appointed to the California Energy Commission. Gunda has served as Deputy Director of the Energy Assessments Division at the California Energy Commission since 2018 and was Office Manager for the Demand Analysis Office at the Commission from 2017 to 2018. He held multiple positions at the University of California, Davis Energy and Efficiency Institute, including Director of Research & India Initiatives from 2016 to 2017, Director of Research from 2015 to 2017 and Program Manager from 2011 to 2015. Gunda earned a Master of Science degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering from Utah State University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $159,068.
Mary Leslie, 61, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the California Independent System Operator Board of Governors, where she has served since 2019. Leslie has been President of the Los Angeles Business Council since 2001. She was Founder of Leslie and Associates from 1999 to 2019, served as a Commissioner of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power from 2001 to 2003 and was President at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership organization from 1995 to 1999. Leslie served as Deputy Mayor of Economic Development to Mayor Richard Riordan for the City of Los Angeles from 1994 to 1996, Deputy Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration from 1993 to 1994 and California Finance Director for Bill Clinton for President in 1992. Leslie earned a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Southern California. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $40,000. Leslie is a Democrat.
Jan Schori, 68, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the California Independent System Operator Board of Governors. Schori was a member of the Board of Trustees of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation from 2009 to 2021. She was Of Counsel at Downey Brand LLP from 2008 to 2012. She held multiple positions at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District from 1984 to 2008, including Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel and Attorney. Schori earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $40,000. Schori is a Democrat.
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.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), extreme wildfire danger is expected this weekend due to the forecast of dry and windy conditions. The weather will change Sunday and Monday, which will see widespread, high-risk wildfire conditions.
According to the NWS, a north and northeast wind will pick up Sunday afternoon and will be strong Sunday night and into Monday. The west slope of the Sierra, above 2,500 feet, and the higher elevations of Napa, Sonoma, and Lake counties could see wind gusts over 50 mph.
Other locations, including Sacramento, could see wind gusts over 35 mph.
Strong wind in areas that have recently seen grass fires or wildfires could see trees and limbs come down.
CalFIRE also warned that the wind, extremely dry air, and very dry fuel will create extreme fire danger conditions.
Under these conditions, a fire could spread at a very fast pace Sunday and Monday, quickly moving into population centers before residents are aware of the danger, according to CalFIRE.
CalFIRE and PG&E warned residents to pay attention to local law enforcement alerts for evacuation warnings and orders.
Local law enforcement in these areas warned residents to prepare to evacuate now by packing bags and necessary medications and documents.
According to the NWS, the high winds are expected to die down by Tuesday.
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.
The FlexAlert is a call for voluntary electricity conservation, in anticipation of higher than normal electricity demand from due to anticipated high temperatures statewide.
The FlexAlert is happening at the same time that Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has declared a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event in Northern California. This is the first time that both a PSPS and FlexAlert have occurred at the same time.
See CAISO news release.
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 had previously begun notifications to the following counties, alerting of the coming PSPS: Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba. PG&E added that a small number of customers in two tribal communities also may be affected.
PG&E said that its in-house meteorologists, as well as its Wildfire Safety Operation Center (WSOC) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will continue to monitor conditions closely, and additional customer notifications will be issued as the potential event materializes.
PG&E added that the outages will continue through late Friday, so there is the potential for some customers to be without power for as long as 3 days. The National Weather Service (NWS) said that red-flag fire warnings are in effect across Northern California from the Oregon border to the Bay Area as dry winds sweep the region.
PG&E said the PSPS event would impact approximately 54,000 customers (about 162,000 people) in targeted portions of 24 counties. PG&E said they will be working to restore power as soon as it is safe to do so — once the de-energized assets have been inspected.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said that red-flag fire warnings are in effect across Northern California from the Oregon border to the Bay Area as dry winds sweep the region.
Govreport will continue to monitor this developing situation.
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 was more precise on the impacted areas, though continuing to say the PSPS event would impact approximately 54,000 customers (about 162,000 people) in targeted portions of 24 counties.
PG&E said they began notifications to the following counties: Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba. PG&E added that a small number of customers in two tribal communities also may be affected.
PG&E said that its in-house meteorologists, as well as its Wildfire Safety Operation Center (WSOC) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will continue to monitor conditions closely, and additional customer notifications will be issued as the potential event materializes.
Outages will likely begin sometime Wednesday afternoon and continue through late Friday, so there is the potential for some customers to be without power for as long as 3 days. The National Weather Service (NWS) said that red-flag fire warnings are in effect across Northern California from the Oregon border to the Bay Area as dry winds sweep the region.
NWS’ report also stated that as winds subside in Northern California Thursday, they are likely to pick up in the Southern half of the State. Temperatures in Los Angeles are forecast to hit 99 degrees Fahrenheit Friday.
Govreport will continue to monitor this developing situation.
PG&E’s forecasted outage map for the announced potential PSPS.
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 dry conditions that could impact transmission assets and lead to sparking fires. The authority to call these events was afforded to the California utilities through legislation and regulatory process.
According to the PG&E press release, the areas that could be potentially impacted are as follow:
- Northern Sierra Nevada (foothills)
- Mid to higher elevation areas in the Sierra, North of Yosemite
- North Bay Area mountains
- Areas of the Santa Cruz mountains
According to the latest weather forecasts, the weather event could begin on Wednesday (10/14/2020) and potentially last through Friday (10/16/2020).
In the statement, PG&E said that as more weather data becomes available, other areas could be affected.
Govreport is monitoring this developing story.
News Flash: CAISO Issues State 3 Emergency – Rolling Outages Ordered
From the California ISO:
Stage 3 Emergency Declared; rotating power outages have been initiated to maintain grid stability The California Independent System Operator (ISO) is declaring a Stage 3 Electrical Emergency due to high heat and increased electricity demand. The emergency initiates rotating outages throughout the state. A Stage 3 Emergency is declared when demand outpaces available supply. Rotating power interruptions have been initiated to maintain stability of the electric grid. The Stage 3 Emergency declaration was called after extreme heat drove up electricity demand across California, causing the ISO to dip into its operating reserves for supply to cover demand. The California ISO is working closely with California utilities and neighboring power systems to manage strain on the grid and to restore the power grid to full capacity. As portions of the grid are restored, local utilities will restore power in a coordinated fashion. Although a Stage Emergency is a significant inconvenience to those affected by rotating power interruptions, it is preferable to manage an emergency with controlled measures rather than let it cause widespread and more prolonged disruption. Click here to learn more about System Alerts, Warnings, and Emergencies.
Governor appoints new EDD executive team
Gov. Newsom on Friday appointed new executive team members to the Employment Development Department to boost customer service and deal with the backlog of unemployment claims due to COVID-19.
On July 29, the governor announced a strike team to focus on the information technology challenges EDD faces, lead by GovOps Secretary Yolanda Richardson and Code for America founder Jennifer Pahlka.
From the announcement:
Maurice Emsellem, 61, of Berkeley, has been appointed senior advisor at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. Emsellem has been program director at the National Employment Law Project since 2015, where he has held several positions since 1990, including policy director, program director and staff attorney. He was a Soros Justice senior fellow for the Open Society Foundations from 2004 to 2005, an associate appellate counsel for the Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Appeals Bureau from 1987 to 1990 and staff attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit from 1986 to 1987. Emsellem earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Northeastern University School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $165,000. Emsellem is a Democrat.
Nancy Farias, 47, of Thousand Oaks, has been appointed chief deputy director of external affairs, legislation and policy at the California Employment Development Department. Farias has served as director of government relations at SEIU Local 1000 since 2017. She was deputy chief of staff at the Office of California State Senator Henry Stern from 2016 to 2017. Farias was district director at the Office of California State Assemblymember Mike Gatto from 2015 to 2017. She was deputy secretary of legislation at the Government Operations Agency from 2013 to 2015. Farias was deputy director of legislative affairs at the California Department of Human Resources from 2012 to 2013. She was legislative director at SEIU Local 1000 from 2009 to 2012 and senior vice president at Smith, Ruddock & Hayes from 2008 to 2009. She was an associate at Wolkon Pascucci from 2002 to 2008. Farias earned a Master of Science degree in political science from the University of Massachusetts and a Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $180,600. Farias is a Democrat.
Kevin Matulich, 32, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director of legislative affairs at the California Employment Development Department. Matulich has been assistant director at the California Employment Development Department since 2019, where he served as assistant director of policy and external affairs from 2017 to 2019 and special assistant to the director from 2014 to 2017. He served in several positions in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 2011 to 2014, including special assistant for appointments and constituent affairs representative. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $133,308. Matulich is a Democrat.
Carole Vigne, 41, of San Francisco, has been appointed general counsel and deputy director at the California Employment Development Department. Vigne has been senior staff attorney and program director of the Wage Protection Program for Legal Aid at Work since 2014, where she was a staff attorney from 2011 to 2014 and a Skadden fellow from 2007 to 2009. She was an associate attorney at Rukin, Hyland, Doria & Tindall LLP from 2009 to 2011. Vigne is a board member of Mujeres Unidas y Activas, and a member of the Coalition of Low-Wage and Immigrant Worker Advocates and the Freedom Network. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $170,772. Vigne is registered without party preference.
Carol D. Williams, 52, of Davis, has been appointed chief deputy director of operations at the California Employment Development Department. Williams has served as chief of the Filing Division at the California Franchise Tax Board since 2015, and was chief of the Accounts Receivable Management Division from 2011 to 2015 and director of the Revenue Recovery Services Bureau from 2006 to 2011. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $180,600. Williams is a Democrat.
