Gov Tech Today

What happens when cybersecurity is no longer the No. 1 priority for state CIOs? On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha break down the National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO) annual Top 10 list for 2026—and the major shakeup that put AI, including generative and agentic AI and machine learning, at the top for the first time in more than a decade. 

00:00 Welcome to Gov Tech Today + What’s Coming Up

00:23 What the NASCIO Top 10 List Is (and Why It Matters)

01:24 Major Shakeup: AI Takes the #1 Spot

03:00 #2 Cybersecurity: Still Critical, Now Shaped by AI

04:58 #3 Budget & Cost Pressures Move Up the Rankings

06:15 #4 Modernization: Tackling Legacy Systems (and Funding It)

07:28 #5 Digital Government Services Debut in the Top 10

08:23 #6 Accessibility: New Federal Rules Drive State Action

09:20 #7–#8 IAM + Data/Analytics: The “Foundation” Priorities

13:20 #9 Consolidation & Optimization: Fewer Systems, More Shared Platforms

16:25 #10 Cloud Services: From Trendy to Ubiquitous (Cloud Smart)

17:56 Wrap-Up: Thanks to NASCIO and State CIOs

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha dive into a new trend in government contracting: transforming maintenance and operations (M&O) into modernization opportunities. They examine how traditional M&O contracts are increasingly including system improvement requirements, effectively shifting from simple maintenance to significant technological upgrades. This approach allows government agencies to modernize within existing budgets, avoiding the complexities and scrutiny of new IT projects. The discussion also explores the balance between maintaining existing systems and leveraging M&O contracts for continuous modernization.

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today

00:24 Exploring Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Opportunities

01:06 Shifting from Maintenance to Modernization

01:50 Evaluating Contracting Processes and Budget Impacts

04:41 Maximizing Value from M&O Contracts

07:42 Vendor and Government Collaboration

12:57 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha delve into the recently released governor's budget, focusing on its implications for technology initiatives. They discuss the significant role of AI, legacy system updates, and the governor's approach to AI regulation. The duo also explores state procurement changes, including the growing use of RFI2 and the introduction of climate-aligned contracts. With insights on the Middle Mile Broadband initiative and the complexity of state budgets, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of California's tech and budget landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:13 Governor's Budget Overview

01:45 AI's Role in the Budget

03:09 AI Regulation and Legislation

05:59 Cybersecurity and Staffing Issues

07:41 Middle Mile Broadband Initiative

11:14 State Procurement Changes

17:28 Climate-Aligned Contracts and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha dive into the complexities of government transitions, focusing on Governor Newsom's last year in office and the implications for gubernatorial appointees and vendors. The conversation explores the nuances between career civil servants and those appointed from private sectors. They also discuss the ongoing AI regulation at the federal level and how California is positioning itself amidst federal executive orders. The episode wraps up with insights on managing new tech initiatives during budget deficits, emphasizing strategic positioning for tech vendors in lean times.

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today

00:14 Understanding the Lame Duck Administration

01:13 Job Security for State Appointees

01:56 Governor Newsom's Presidential Aspirations

03:02 Navigating Political Transitions

07:53 The Role of Civil Servants

10:32 AI Regulation and Federal Involvement

12:33 California's Tech Initiatives

13:57 Federal vs. State Regulations

18:59 Governor's Last Budget and Deficit Management

20:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the recent updates to terms and conditions for IT contracts released by the California Department of Technology (CDT) and the Department of General Services (DGS). The new regulations aim to simplify the contracting process by consolidating three sets of cloud provisions into one and introducing a cap on vendor liability for cybersecurity breaches. The episode delves into the significance of these changes for both vendors and state agencies, highlighting the collaborative efforts between CDT and DGS to address long-standing concerns from the vendor community.

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today

00:36 New Terms and Conditions Released by CDT

04:04 Simplification of IT Contracts

06:45 Collaboration Between CDT and DGS

11:05 Impact on Vendors and Subcontractors

13:20 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss a significant rulemaking process initiated by the Department of General Services (DGS) to change small business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) procurement processes. They examine the new statutory mandate requiring 25% of state spending to go to small businesses and 3% to DVBEs. Jennifer highlights the impact on technology procurements and the potential for leveling the playing field for small businesses. The conversation also delves into the increased contract limit from $250,000 to $3.5 million for small business procurements and the need for education and awareness within both government and vendor communities. The episode closes with a look at the opportunities and challenges this new regulation presents.

00:00 Introduction to Govtech Today

00:29 Regulatory Changes in Small Business and DVB Procurement

02:08 Impact on Technology Procurement

04:11 Small Business and DVB Off-Ramp Procurement

06:49 Increasing the Procurement Limit

09:33 Educating the Business Community

15:24 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, host engages with Jeffrey Marino, Director of the California Office of Data and Innovation (ODI), to discuss his journey from data journalism to government service. They delve into government use of data during the COVID-19 crisis, the challenges of data analytics in state systems, and the mission of ODI to enhance service delivery through technology and human-centered design. They also explore the Engaged California program and Innovation Fellows initiative aimed at gathering state employee feedback and fostering transformational change from within.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:24 Jeffrey Marino's Background and Journey

01:29 COVID-19 Data Challenges and Solutions

03:08 Engaging the Public and Policy Impact

04:57 Building Data Analytics Pipelines

06:18 The Role and Mission of ODI

07:41 Innovation in Government: Challenges and Strategies

19:13 Engaged California and Innovation Fellows Program

24:09 Addressing Employee Feedback and Trust

31:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha delve into the evolving landscape of AI regulation. Analyzing California's legislative actions, they discuss major bills such as SB 53 (Wiener) and AB 316 (Krell) that impact AI transparency and liability. They provide insights into the federal and state regulatory approaches and predict future legislative trends, offering a nuanced perspective on the balance between innovation and regulation.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:14 Overview of Legislative Process

01:12 California's AI Legislation Landscape

03:21 Specific AI Legislation: SB 53 Wiener

06:34 Other Notable AI Bills

10:11 Future of AI Legislation

14:43 Impact on Technology Procurement

17:01 Conclusion and Future Episodes

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, host Jennifer Saha sits down with Amy Tong, Senior Counselor to the Governor of California, to discuss groundbreaking efforts in government efficiency and transformation. Tong shares insights about her role and the state's 'E3' initiative, which stands for Efficient, Effective, and Engaged government. With a focus on challenges ranging from budget constraints to the integration of cutting-edge technology, this conversation unveils how California aims to create a lasting legacy of innovation and efficiency in public service. Key themes include the role of middle management in driving change, the necessity of grounding technological solutions in everyday operational needs, and the importance of industry partnerships.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:24 Amy Tong's Role and Responsibilities

01:01 Government Efficiency and Challenges

07:01 Middle Management and Innovation

09:56 Tech Solutions and Proof of Concept

15:10 Philanthropy and State Budget

16:40 California's Budget Challenges and Opportunities

17:36 Creativity in Times of Financial Strain

18:53 The Role of Industry Partners

21:32 Personal Reflections and Future Plans

25:20 Favorite and Least Favorite Jobs in Government

29:36 Efficiency and Modernization in Government

30:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

On this episode of Gov Tech Today, host Jennifer Saha welcomes Mike Hussey, former state CIO of Utah, who shares his transition from 30 years in state government to a pivotal role in the private sector with Oracle. Mike discusses the intricacies of balancing public service exigencies with private sector dynamism, especially in the context of emerging AI technologies. Listen in as they delve into the unique challenges of AI regulation, the evolving roles of state CIOs, and the cooperative competition among states aiming for technological advancements. Key timestamps include insights into the working dynamics in government (10:12), the transformative impact of AI (25:30), and the nuanced differences in state vs. federal AI regulations (40:47).

00:00 Welcome to Gov Tech Today

00:30 Meet Mike Hussey: From State CIO to Private Sector

01:19 Navigating Government Transitions

03:00 The Role of State CIOs and the Power of Community

06:35 Challenges and Innovations in Government Technology

09:59 Public vs. Private Sector: A Unique Perspective

15:38 The Impact of AI in Government

16:43 The Excitement of AI in Government Work

17:32 Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities

17:57 Efficiency and Compliance in State Governments

18:46 Public Service Through Private Sector Work

20:03 State-Level Innovations and Success Stories

21:02 The Complexity of Large-Scale Implementations

25:04 AI Regulation: State vs. Federal Perspectives

30:19 The Rapid Evolution of AI Legislation

32:06 Conclusion and Future Outlook