April, 2024

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New Houston mayor reverses course on bike, pedestrian improvements

GCN

Mayor John Whitmire ordered pedestrian islands removed, froze projects with bike lanes and suggested cyclists stick to “recreational” trails. It’s a big change in direction from his predecessor’s approach.

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Big Day for NLC and Municipal Governments: Final Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Grants Guidance Released

NLC (National League of Cities)

Last week, the White House announced the final Office of Management and Budget (OMB) UniformGrants Guidance. This guidance is designed to create a streamlined set of rules and regulations forfederal grants that ensure that Congress, agencies, and applicants have standard language andprocesses for grant awards and administration.

Budgeting 126
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Feds move to make gov websites more accessible to people with disabilities

GCN

It’s the first time the federal government has ever issued rules clarifying how the more than 30-year-old Americans with Disabilities Act applies online. But the new rules come with a hefty price tag for state and local governments.

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How DOD Can Maintain Zero-Trust Momentum

FedTech Magazine

The Department of Defense reports strong momentum toward meeting its goal of implementing a zero-trust security architecture departmentwide by 2027. DOD’s Zero Trust Portfolio Management Office recently approved implementation plans from all military components. One key takeaway from this milestone moment: Agencies that leveraged commercial solutions got a big head start on their zero-trust efforts.

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The Ultimate Playground Inspection Handbook

Dive into the world of playground safety with this complimentary guide. It offers a detailed exploration of essential practices to ensure the utmost safety for children. Delve into inspection techniques, from assessing equipment conditions to evaluating surfacing materials. Gain insights into maintenance strategies to keep playgrounds in top-notch condition year-round.

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Extreme Connect 2024: Agencies Can Use Wi-Fi 6E Connectivity Outdoors

State Tech Magazine

In a recent video interview, Jose J. Peña, IT director for the city of Pharr, Texas, said that the enhanced capabilities of Extreme Networks infrastructure ensures that the city can continue to innovate. “We have been doing public Wi-Fi and video surveillance in our city parks for several years now, and this just helps us,” Peña said in an Extreme Networks online presentation.

2024 119
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Ep 34: Elevating Staff Training at Camp

Summer Camp Programming

SHOW NOTES This episode dives into the transformative approaches Kelie and Shauna are implementing for staff training at their respective camps. From reinventing traditional methods to integrating dynamic activities. The conversation reflects on past experiences, anticipates future challenges, and explores strategies to enhance the camp experience for both staff and campers, highlighting the importance of […] The post Ep 34: Elevating Staff Training at Camp first appeared on Summer Camp Pr

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Lack of Sleep Has Left Our Military Less Combat Ready and More Prone to Accidents with Dire Consequences

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

Lack of sleep among active duty service members has led to fatal accidents and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to ships, vehicles, and aircraft. Many service members reported slower reflexes and responses, lower cognitive function, and.

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One city takes to the streets to address extreme heat

GCN

A Los Angeles neighborhood tested the impact of an innovative cool pavement coating, and research shows it holds potential to supplement climate mitigation efforts.

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It’s FAFSA Week of Action: Time to Take a #FAFSAFastBreak!

Homeroom

It’s FAFSA Week of Action (April 15-19) and to kick off the effort the U.S. Department of Education is thrilled to announce the launch our #FAFSAFastBreak campaign, a national effort to drive FAFSA submissions among high school seniors and returning college students. Everyone has an important role to play! We have already received nearly 200 Continue Reading The post It’s FAFSA Week of Action: Time to Take a #FAFSAFastBreak!

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There Goes the Sun: NASA Upgrades Technology to Prepare for a Total Solar Eclipse

FedTech Magazine

To prepare for the total solar eclipse in 2017, NASA focused on technology that would keep its livestreams running for those who couldn’t see it in person. This time, the agency has looked at how to spend less money for even better service. About 12 million people watched the eclipse on NASA sites on Aug. 21, 2017, the first to cover much of the U.S. in more than a century.

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7 Signs Your Local Government ERP Is Holding You Back: A Guide for Small Municipalities

Local governments and municipalities serving populations under 200,000 face distinctive challenges in delivering efficient and effective services to their communities. To overcome these challenges, many rely on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems tailored to their specific needs. Not all ERP systems are created equal, and some may hinder progress rather than support it.

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An academic story of contemporary policy and policymaking problems

Paul Cairney

Many policy concepts try to sum up the same story about modern governance: complex policy problems do not respect traditional government boundaries, and require collaborative responses across government and between governmental and non-governmental actors.

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Why strategists should embrace imperfection

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

In a world of rapid change, looking for certainty can obscure opportunity. Taking smaller yet bold steps provides a more sure-footed path through uncertainty.

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Extreme Connect 2024: Texas Officials Spotlight Cybersecurity Cooperation

State Tech Magazine

“One of our biggest challenges is tackling the whole-of-state approach to cybersecurity,” said Texas CIO Amanda Crawford in a chat with Extreme Networks Chief Marketing Officer Monica Kumar on Wednesday. Crawford and Seguin CIO Shane McDaniel addressed a sold-out audience on a very busy and productive day at Extreme Connect 2024, emphasizing that cybersecurity cooperation between levels of government remains top of mind for them, in Fort Worth, Texas.

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FCC reinstates net neutrality rules

GCN

Commissioners voted 3-2 to revive net neutrality, which supporters said would prevent the internet from being intentionally blocked or slowed down. Opponents said the effort is unnecessary and violates the law.

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ASPA TIMES Magazine: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

PA TIMES Magazine is a publication of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), a not-for-profit corporation. This edition focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in public administration, including guest columns, insights for the field and interviews with city government DEI officers about their work at the local level.

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Multilingualism, my Superpower!

Homeroom

BY: Montserrat Garibay, Assistant Deputy Secretary & Director for the Office of English Language Acquisition It was August 1992 in Austin, Texas, when I first walked into a U.S. public school. I still remember how scared and nervous I was. I didn’t speak a word of English. I recall people speaking and asking me questions Continue Reading The post Multilingualism, my Superpower!

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OUR RESPONSE TO RESPONSE TIMES

Barrett & Greene

When it comes to many vital public services, including police, fire and EMS, one of the primary – and sometimes the only – performance measurement that people use is response time. On the surface this makes a lot of sense. For emergency services, particularly, every moment can spell the difference between a minor incident and a tragedy. To the general public, fast response times are real tangible evidence that they are getting good service.

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Brazil, Colombia join the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance to tackle talent gap

AWS Public Sector Blog

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the demand for skilled tech professionals continues to outpace the supply. This talent gap poses significant challenges for businesses across Latin America, with almost half of tech vacancies remaining unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates. Addressing this challenge, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has expanded the Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance to Brazil and Colombia.

Education 115
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Global Economics Intelligence executive summary, March 2024

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Consumption continues to be resilient, except in Europe; central banks hold interest rates steady due to ongoing inflation risk; business survey respondents show increased confidence in economy.

2024 130
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Sustainable Facility Maintenance Management for Small Local Governments

Unlock the potential of sustainable facility management! This guide empowers small local governments to lead with climate-resilient infrastructure, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and more. Elevate your community's resilience, reduce costs, and embrace eco-friendly practices. Discover the role of facility maintenance teams in green cleaning, sustainability analyses, and infrastructure upgrades.

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Securing Agencies’ Cloud Migration Paths Requires Data-Level Security

FedTech Magazine

There is always an inherent risk of compromise when moving data from one location to another. Some data might be lost, while other data might end up being corrupted or incomplete. Cloud migration adds the possibility of human error and technical issues, heightening the risks associated with data transfer. Agencies navigating cloud migration to align with the Biden administration’s National Cybersecurity Strategy can mitigate some of these risks with a solution called content disarm and reconstru

Security 114
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2022 was the ‘worst year ever for bicyclist deaths,’ new data shows

GCN

Safety advocates blame the upswing in cyclist deaths on larger, more powerful vehicles that have become more common on American roads in the last decade.

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U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Lead the Way on Healthy, Sustainable Infrastructure and Environmental Learning

Homeroom

Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced the 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees. Across the country 41 schools, 10 districts, one early learning center, and three postsecondary institutions were named. School systems across the U.S. are implementing environmental education standards, flipping the switch on solar Continue Reading The post U.S.

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Securing Legacies: Strategies for Resolving Heirs’ Property Issues in Cities

NLC (National League of Cities)

By Houston City Councilmember Tiffany D. Thomas In January 2024, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas invested $2 million with nonprofits and banks to educate and assist clients with heirs’ property issues, and in Atlanta, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta made $1 million heirs’ property grant funding available in 2022.

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Proactive vs Reactive Maintenance: Making the Case for Preparedness

Discover comprehensive strategies for optimizing operations and achieving cost efficiency! This document offers insights into efficient inspections, data-driven decision-making, goal alignment, and resource optimization. It empowers local governments and maintenance departments to streamline operations and ensure significant cost savings. From aligning maintenance goals with community needs to leveraging data for strategic planning, this guide provides a roadmap for smoother, more reliable opera

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Government Career Paths in Public Recreation

Careers in Government

If you have a love of nature, people, and community, a career in public recreation could be a great fit. The post Government Career Paths in Public Recreation appeared first on Careers in Government.

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Consumers rule: Driving healthcare growth with a consumer-led strategy

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Consumers are increasingly discerning about where, how, and from whom they receive healthcare. Healthcare can learn from other industries how to provide an optimal end-to-end consumer experience.

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How to Celebrate National Park Week

GovLoop

National Park Week is April 20-28 — and there are so many ways to celebrate. Take a look at the National Park Service’s main site for National Park Week events , kicking off with waived entrance fees on Saturday, April 20. The nine-day lineup includes days for volunteering, getting to know parks staff, events for kids, and more. That’s in addition to fun and educational events that parks host throughout the year: You can find them on the NPS calendar.

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Senate rebukes Biden administration on effort to reduce vehicle pollution

GCN

Three Democrats and one independent joined the chamber’s Republicans, arguing the Federal Highway Administration overstepped its authority in requiring states to track greenhouse gas emissions. But the president threatened to veto the measure.

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Facility Maintenance Trends for 2024: What's Changing in the Industry?

This comprehensive article delves into the transformative trends reshaping local government facility maintenance in anticipation of 2024. From embracing smart technology for efficient management, sustainability's pivotal role to data-driven decision-making, workforce upskilling, and predictive maintenance strategies, each aspect is explored. Insights into outsourcing collaborations, digital twins, safety enhancements, and the broader industry evolution highlight the critical adaptation needed.

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Myth vs. Fact: Academic Advisors

Homeroom

BY: Gabriel Bermea, Visiting Scholar at The Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions (CMSI) From the belief that academic advisors only handle course scheduling, to the assumption that they make all decisions for students, there are a few persistent myths about academic advisors and their responsibilities. As an academic advising researcher and former post-secondary advisor, Continue Reading The post Myth vs.

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How AI Can Support Cities’ Sustainability Goals

NLC (National League of Cities)

Chatter about AI has become like the weather — talked about seemingly everywhere yet increasingly difficult to predict with absolute confidence. While the meteoric rise of generative, language-wielding platforms, like ChatGPT, are catching big media waves, many cities are already established AI enthusiasts.

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5 Opportunities for Micro-Greening in Low-Income Urban Settlements

The City Fix

Climate-change-induced events such as heat waves and floods severely impact quality of life in urban areas. It can be financially disruptive and even fatal, disproportionately impacting settlements most vulnerable to climate risks. Greening of open spaces can be an important.

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What is top of mind for dairy executives in 2024?

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

How will the US dairy industry evolve in response to growing concerns about sustainability and other issues? We conducted our sixth annual survey of dairy executives to find out.

2024 126
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Efficiency and Sustainability: Leveraging Digital Solutions in Facility Operations

Speaker: Alan Kavanaugh, BA, CRM, CCPI ​​​​​​​Director of Loss Control & Risk Management

This session is designed to unveil the transformative potential of digital solutions in reshaping conventional practices, offering a roadmap towards greener and more efficient facilities regardless of municipality size. Attendees will learn: Insights into cutting-edge trends and strategies in sustainable facility management. Practical knowledge to effectively incorporate digital solutions for operational efficiency.