Author Archive
Jen Fifield
Digital Government
In rural Arizona, Maricopa County uses tech to make voting more secure
Providing voting access in rural areas has long been a challenge in the state, and across the country. Now, Maricopa county is hosting a big test of its efforts to improve access to the ballot in remote polling locations.
Management
Documents show Republican-led states struggling to clean voter rolls after leaving ERIC
Officials encounter new obstacles and costs in trying to replace just some of the data they used to get from the Electronic Registration Information Center, unreleased records show.
Management
Trump Allies Have Interviewed Nearly 200 Election Officials to Probe for Weaknesses
Volunteers for “Operation Eagles Wings” are using surveys in eight states to seek support for conspiracy theories.
Digital Government
Tiny Towns, Small States Bet on Bitcoin Even as Some Shun Its Miners
While bitcoin mining may not create many jobs, state officials and cryptocurrency advocates believe in the economic potential of the industries created through blockchain technology.
Emerging Tech
Tiny towns, small states bet on bitcoin even as some shun its miners
While bitcoin mining may not create many jobs, state officials and cryptocurrency advocates believe in the economic potential of the industries created through blockchain technology.
Management
Technology is turning wrong-way drivers around
A spate of wrong-way crashes across the country in the past five years has pushed state officials to test how technology can prevent the crashes and save lives.
Management
Gig Economy Gives Child Support Scofflaws a Place to Hide
Even in states where employers are required to report contractors, companies such as Uber and Lyft still aren’t following the rules, and state officials have few ways to make them comply.
Workforce
Sexual Harassment Training Lacking in Many Statehouses
In most states where state lawmakers are facing allegations of harassment, lawmakers haven’t been receiving regular anti-harassment training. But that will change soon.
Management
Bounce House Regulations, Enforcement Lacking as Injuries Soar
Inflatable attractions may seem less ominous than roller coasters that flip riders upside down or carnival rides that send thrill-seekers whirling through the open air. But they can be just as dangerous and are far less regulated.
Management
Why It’s Hard to Punish ‘Bad Samaritans’
Thousands attended a funeral for Jamel Dunn, a Florida man who drowned in a pond while teens recorded and mocked him. Lawmakers in Florida and Arizona now want to make it illegal to not try to help someone in an emergency.
Management
How Dog Lovers Sparked Laws That Could Save Kids in Hot Cars
This year, at least five states have enacted laws to protect bystanders from being sued for breaking a car window to rescue a child in an emergency.
Featured eBooks
Management
For Rural Veterans, New Approaches to Health Care
Rural veterans are far older and far more likely to be disabled than other rural residents. New programs across the country show promise in ensuring that they get the health care they need.
Infrastructure
How Giant Batteries Can Help Reduce Emissions
Plugging batteries into the electrical grid may be the solution states are looking for to meet their renewable energy goals.
Management
Yo Voté: Communities Scramble to Translate Ballots
A “vote here” sign translated into Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese hangs near the entrance to a polling place set up in the Willston Community Center in Falls Church, Virginia. A growing number of communities are now required to translate election materials.
Management
States Can Play a Role In Addressing Child Abuse in Military Families
Should local child protective agencies be required to report suspected child abuse and neglect in military families to military officials?
Management
What Happens When States Go Hunting for Welfare Fraud
Welfare fraud costs states billions each year. But as states attempt to fish out fraud by conducting stricter and more frequent eligibility checks, they risk kicking eligible families off the rolls.
Infrastructure
Using Cheese, Molasses Brine To Treat Roads With Less Salt
The nation’s reliance on road salt for de-icing has tripled in the last forty years. Many cities and states are trying to halt that.
Management
Cities, states seek to protect immigrants’ data from federal officials
In a political atmosphere that is increasingly hostile to immigrants, concerns grow over the vulnerability of data used for state or municipal ID programs.
Management
Virginia to pay $7.1M after manipulating food stamp data
The state will repay about $7.1 million in federal bonuses to resolve allegations that it manipulated data related to its food stamp program.
Management