Cisco Systems and the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts announced Wednesday an urban renewal strategy built on an Internet-based, connected community model intended to fuse vital parts of the city’s government and economy. The proof-of-concept, technology-infused renewal program is the latest investment by Cisco to turn Holyoke into a hub of innovation for the western half [...]
Earlier this week, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer announced a contest designed to help tap state employees and the public to save the state money during the upcoming legislative session. The Montana Accountability Partnership (MAP) contest ideas must be submitted by April 1, 2010.
According to a new report by the National League of Cities (NLC) the municipal sector is on pace to see budget shortfalls reach between $56 and $83 billion over the next three years. The group says federal legislation, such as a jobs package, transportation and energy efficiency programs, and renewed focus on credit to small [...]
In an announcement outlined Wednesday, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon unveiled an initiative to grow the state’s science and technology sector through stable and ongoing funding sources. By establishing a dedicated fund for high-tech job growth, Gov. Nixon said the initiative would help nurture existing science and technology companies while generating an attractive environment for more [...]
According to the US Department of Labor, unemployment insurance claims rose 17,000 to 474,000 last week. These numbers come after five straight weeks of decline, catching some economists off guard. Unemployment claims were expected to be around 460,000, but a Labor Department economist told Reuters that “claims had been bumped up by seasonal industries laying [...]
For most state governments, January 1 will not signal the beginning of a new year, full of promise and a chance to start from a clean slate. January 1 for many states is the middle of their fiscal year, and according to the National Conference of State Legislators, thirty-six states are already facing $28.2 billion [...]
Last January, Governor Patrick called for the establishment of an IT Collaborative, comprised of leaders from private industry, academia and government to advance policy and design an agenda to enhance the state’s IT sector. Monday, Gov. Patrick and others announced results of a study finding that the Commonwealth’s IT industry is a key component to [...]
The National League of Cities (NLC) yesterday sent letters to President Obama and Congressional leadership, calling for the federal government to do more in local jobs creation. The local government advocacy group says that the economic recession is likely to grow more severe, putting added strain on local and city government budgets.
Updated to include additional media reports and reader comments regarding states’ continued lag in updating computers to handle a Congressional extension on assistance benefits. Congressional extensions on assistance benefits are causing problems with state computer systems, nationwide. Antiquated software and confusing federal legislation underlies bigger administrative issues, as federal and state agencies deal with a [...]
A ballooning city budget deficit and a dwindling tax base led the City of Santa Cruz to rethink its governing methods. By using an Online collaboration tool, city officials tapped their electorate to help resolve a budget crises and set an economic development strategy that would preserve the city’s unique cultural and environmental hallmarks.
