In this episode of GovTech Today, hosts Russell Lowry and Jen Saha discuss the latest advancements in government technology, particularly the integration of AI in various departments. The hosts delve into AI pilot projects authorized by the governor, with a focus on the state of California. These projects include using AI to solve state problems, such as improving transportation and tax and fee administration. The conversations around these projects also touch on the need for innovative and creative solutions. Additionally, the hosts discuss the challenges and potential opportunities presented by AI, such as data governance, tech talent shortage, data quality, and the implementation of AI solutions within government. They also address the potential future trajectory of AI in state government over the next few years.

00:06 Introduction to the Episode

00:34 Current State of AI in Government

01:28 AI Solutions for Transportation

02:12 Challenges in AI Implementation

03:49 The Role of Industry in AI Solutions

05:25 AI in Taxpayer Assistance

06:03 Future AI Projects in Health and Human Services

06:33 Evaluating Pilot Programs

07:14 AI Task Force and its Role

07:55 The Future of AI in Government

11:08 Data Governance in AI Implementation

15:38 Public Access to AI Proposals

16:44 Conclusion and Looking Ahead

In this episode of GovTech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha delve into the complex topic of privacy and regulatory frameworks in California. They discuss European regulations influencing California legislation, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and discuss local laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). The hosts evaluate the roles of the CCPA and CPRA, especially pertaining to consumer rights, data brokers, and the wider implications for businesses and internet companies. They also outline the role of the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) in enforcing these laws. The discussion concludes with reflections on the rapid pace of tech innovations like AI, the importance of understanding and managing these technologies' impact, and the necessity for businesses and individuals to keep abreast of regulatory changes.

00:05 Introduction to the Episode

00:26 Understanding Privacy Laws in California

00:52 Exploring the California Consumer Privacy Act

03:06 The Impact of CCPA on Data Brokers

03:34 Introduction to the California Privacy Rights Act

03:46 Understanding the Role of the California Privacy Protection Agency

04:41 The Regulatory Process and Challenges

06:54 The Impact of Privacy Laws on Businesses

08:14 The Future of Privacy Regulations and AI

12:33 The Importance of Compliance and Collaboration

15:18 Looking Forward: Upcoming Legislation

16:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of GovTech Today, Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss concerns around the projected $68 billion deficit in the California state budget. Despite the panic caused by news of the deficit, they emphasize the hundreds of billions of dollars still being spent. They explain that difficulties in predicting revenue, which is heavily dependent on personal income tax and notably from wealthier citizens, can lead to dramatic shifts in budget status. The conversation also includes the impact of these inconsistencies on businesses planning long-term projects, the crucial role of budget reserves in providing a safety net during tough budget years, and the advice for vendors looking to continually offer help and solutions during periods of deficit or surplus.

00:05 Introduction to the Episode

00:10 Understanding the California State Budget

00:45 Impact of Budget Deficits on Businesses

01:25 Insights into Budget Negotiations and Revenue Estimation

02:37 Political and Economic Factors Influencing the Budget

04:01 Understanding the Role of Personal Income Tax in State Revenues

04:40 The Importance of May Revision and Reserve Accounts

06:38 Navigating the Budget Process and Priorities

08:00 Strategies for Vendors During Budget Uncertainty

08:35 Challenges in Long-Term Planning and Potential Solutions

09:32 Understanding the Budgeting Process at Different Levels

12:53 The Role of Budget Reserves in Financial Stability

14:54 Competition and Disagreements in Budget Allocation

15:55 Advice for Vendors Looking to Sell to the State

16:35 Conclusion: The Importance of Being a Helpful Partner

In the episode, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer SaHa discuss the shift in work from home policies for state workers in California, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditionally, remote work was rare for state employees, but the pandemic necessitated a quick shift to nearly 90% of the workforce working from home. As offices slowly begin reopening, state agencies plan to require employees to return to the office for at least two days a week. The rationale behind this move is to foster team camaraderie and collaboration. The conversation also touches on the possible challenges that could arise, including finding a balance between flexibility and productivity, and effectively managing a partly remote workforce.

00:06 Introduction to the Episode

00:36 Pre-COVID Work from Home Policies

01:44 Impact of COVID on Work from Home

03:03 Transition Back to Office Work

04:14 Rationale Behind the Two-Day Office Policy

05:26 Implications for State Workers

06:27 Critique of the Two-Day Office Policy

09:58 Advocacy and Public Service Considerations

12:57 Training for Managing a Remote Workforce

14:18 Conclusion: Future of Work from Home Policies

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Jennifer Saha and Russell Lowery discuss the SB DBVE option, a State-contracted vehicle designed to streamline the execution of small contracts under $250,000 with small businesses and disabled veteran businesses. It is deemed a 'secret weapon' for entities seeking to do business with the state, due to its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and its ability to be executed quickly. Furthermore, this contract option helps the state in reaching business diversity goals. The hosts encourage small businesses and DVBEs to seize this opportunity and suggest that an inflation-adjusted increase in the cap will allow more small business participation. The certification process is managed by the Department of General Services, and the hosts recommend potential contractors investigate and establish a good fit with a state department before pursuing any opportunities.

00:06 Introduction to the Episode

00:14 Recap of Previous Episode and Introduction to New Topic

01:00 Exploring the SB DBBE Option for Small Businesses

01:38 Comparing SB DBBE Option with Traditional Bidding

02:40 Advantages of SB DBBE Option for Small Businesses

02:52 Rationale Behind the Development of SB DBBE Option

05:27 How to Suggest SB DBBE as a Contracting Vehicle

06:44 Types of Contracts Suitable for SB DBBE Option

07:43 Steps to Engage with the Opportunity as a Small Business

08:40 How to Approach Agencies and Do Your Homework

09:37 Conclusion and Call to Action for Policymakers

In this episode of GovTech Today, Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the potential of small businesses to thrive in California despite the state's $68 billion deficit. They highlighted that California, being the fifth largest economy in the world, represents a massive market for small businesses and disadvantaged businesses like Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs). Jen spoke about the state's policy commitment to allocates 25% of state contracts to small businesses and 3% to DVBEs. Other key topics discussed include bid preferences for small businesses and DVBEs, the role of the Office of Small Business Advocate in promoting small businesses and helping them navigate state contracts, as well as exploring synergies between larger integrators and small businesses.

00:05 Introduction to the Episode

00:19 State Deficit and its Impact on Small Businesses

00:43 Opportunities for Small Businesses Despite Deficit

01:38 Can Small Businesses Compete in the Current Environment?

02:30 State's Ambitious Policy Goals for Small Businesses

03:32 Certification Requirements for Small Businesses

04:38 Preferences for Small Businesses and Disabled Veteran Businesses

06:27 Partnership between Big System Integrators and Small Businesses

07:56 Role of Small Business Advocate

09:14 Advocacy and Education for Small Businesses

10:18 Problem Solving for Small Businesses

11:29 Identifying Opportunities for Small Businesses

12:49 Closing Remarks and Resources for Small Businesses

In this edition of GovTech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discussed the shortage in the tech labor force, a problem that significantly affects the government sector. They touched on reform initiatives related to IT classifications in state government and provided details about how these classifications were consolidated from 36 to nine broad categories in 2018. They also emphasized the benefits offered by the government, such as substantial salaries and strong benefits packages, including retirement pensions and medical coverage. Additionally, they gave an overview of career progression and mobility within the government IT sector. Lastly, they provided advice on how to stand out when applying for gov jobs and reassured listeners that previous private sector experience can qualify them for higher positions within the government sector.

00:06 Introduction and Topic Overview

00:10 Understanding the Tech Labor Shortage in Government

00:30 Reform Initiatives and IT Classifications in State Government

02:00 The Role of State Employee Union in IT Classifications

03:29 Qualifications and Salary in Government IT

07:09 Benefits of Working in Government IT

09:28 Navigating the Career Ladder in Government IT

15:09 Transitioning Between Private Sector and State Employment

16:36 How to Apply for a Job in Government IT

18:08 Entering Government IT at Different Career Stages

19:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of GovTech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss several legislative implications for the tech industry, notably touching on AI laws, cybersecurity, privacy rights, and the rise of zero trust architectures. They highlight the complexity of how these new legislations might realistically be implemented and enforced, also hinting at potential hurdles businesses might face. The discussion also anticipates the future legislative directions based on the recent two-year bills and executive orders, encouraging the idea of proactive involvement from private sector stakeholders in the legislative process.

00:06 Introduction to GovTech Today

00:10 Discussing the Impact of Legislation on Tech and Government

01:09 Highlighting High Priority Bills and Their Implications

01:21 Exploring AI Bias and Its Impact on the Department of Technology

02:30 Understanding the Role of Industry in High Risk Systems

02:41 Deep Dive into Data and Machine Learning

03:03 Unpacking the Complexity of AI Compliance

05:08 Exploring Cybersecurity and the Expansion of California Cybersecurity Integration Center

07:15 Standardizing the .gov Suffix Across Cities and Counties

09:53 Discussing the Impact of the Delete Act on Data Brokers

15:59 Preview of Upcoming Legislative Topics

18:06 Exploring the Future of AI Regulation

19:31 Closing Remarks and the Importance of Advocacy

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the surprise government spending freeze issued by the government. They explore the ramifications, analyzing the unexpected freeze's impacts on budgets and current projects. Meanwhile, the hosts elaborate on how the freeze might be a response to projected budget deficits running into billions. They delve into the exemption process involved in the freeze, the high bars set for receiving an exemption, and how each agency has the authority to approve or disapprove exemptions. They also discuss the role of technology and IT spending during such challenging fiscal periods and underscore the importance of tech being acknowledged as critical infrastructure. Concluding in a rather optimistic note, our hosts encourage innovators to align their solutions with the government's needs and help it deliver better services despite budget constraints.

00:06 Introduction and Overview

00:29 Government Spending Freeze

02:53 Exemption Process and Challenges

04:35 Impact on Technology Projects

07:46 Potential Opportunities Amidst the Freeze

08:59 Impact on State Employees and Travel

11:24 Budget Negotiations and Future Projections

19:18 Navigating the New Budget Landscape

21:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennnifer Saha discuss the vital topic of cybersecurity in the Gov Tech industry, specifically where the state of California stands. They refer to the National Association of State CIOs' survey which has shown cybersecurity as the top priority for the past 10 years. They explore the ever-evolving nature of cybersecurity, the increasing rate of ransomware attacks on state and local governments, and the CALSIC initiative where all relevant agencies come together to tackle cybersecurity. They highlight the importance of government protection of valuable private information, the need for proactive funding, and the importance of disaster recovery and business continuity. The episode ends with guidance for businesses aiming to assist the government in achieving CALSECURE. The discussion provides crucial insights on the pressing need for robust cybersecurity in the digital era.

00:06 Introduction to the Episode
00:15 Discussing Cybersecurity in California
00:57 Understanding the Importance of Cybersecurity
01:24 The State of Cybersecurity in California
01:47 The Impact of Ransomware Attacks
04:04 The Role of California Cybersecurity Integration Center
05:54 The Importance of Cybersecurity Funding
10:25 The Human Factor in Cybersecurity
17:22 The Role of Data Catalog in Cybersecurity
17:45 Recovery and Business Continuity in Cybersecurity
19:10 Understanding CalSecure and Its Role in Cybersecurity
20:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts