Priorities for States
Each year, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) publishes federal advocacy priorities that represent areas of focus for the upcoming year and how states can collaborate with federal agencies, Congress, the White House and strategic partners.
2024 priorities include:
- AI: States Lead the Way
- Continue Adoption of Dot Gov Domain
- Ensure Responsible Implementation of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
- Expand and Strengthen the State Cyber Workforce
- Harmonize Disparate Federal Cybersecurity Regulations
The Scoop on AI
AI is already at work in some state and local governments, whereas in others, it’s just beginning to take root. Agencies are learning from each other as they create guidelines and explore how AI can help them improve processes.
For instance:
- States such as Rhode Island, Vermont, Oklahoma, California, Illinois, Florida, Kentucky and Minnesota have created AI task forces, coalitions, and similar entities. They make recommendations for using AI safely and productively.
- Cities such as Boston, Seattle, San Jose and New York have crafted policies and guidance concerning AI.
- NASCIO provided Your AI Blueprint: 12 Key Considerations as States Develop Their Artificial Intelligence Roadmaps.
Grappling With Polarities
We’re living in a turbulent, divisive time, and governors are aware of it. At the 2024 National Governors Association Winter Meeting, governors spoke about the Disagree Better Initiative, which seeks to decrease toxic polarization and increase positive, healthy debate in working through policy disagreements.
Disagree Better includes customizable intervention techniques for governors and states, and a variety of ideas and tools for working with the public to manage polarity. The website offers:
- Video messages from governors
- Research and resources
- Opportunities to take action
- Links to related meetings and events
Cyber News Feed
State and local agencies have made cybersecurity a top priority for 2024. Here’s a look at recent developments.
Local governments are a big target for cyberattacks and often don’t have the resources of federal agencies. Even schools are vulnerable, and the U.S. Department of Education has announced a new federal council to improve cybersecurity in K-12 schools.
Last year, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and FEMA announced an additional $375 million for the second year of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). In September, states had to submit their spending plans, and some of them included funds for local governments.
CISA released updates for its Public Safety Communications and Cyber Resiliency Toolkit and, with DHS, its Resiliency Fact Sheet.
Data and Constituent Interaction
Contact is everything. According to a Civic Plus survey, constituents who access their city’s website more than once a month have almost five times the amount of trust in their city than those who access it infrequently.
Data literacy needs work. A NASCIO survey shows a data literacy problem among state workforces. Just 16% of state CIOs say their state has a formal data literacy or proficiency program for state employees.
Geospatial technology is becoming more popular. For example, a report by the National States Geographic Information Council shows states making great progress using the tech for “next-generation 911.”
Smart City technology is on the radar again, as communities use data to improve services and the environment. A recent Forbes article described smart city benefits and challenges, and a 2024 podcast featured IT leaders from Normal, Illinois, who discussed how small cities may lead the smart city transformation.
This article appeared in our guide, “Building Trust With Tech In State and Local Government.” To see more about how agencies are using technology to build relationships with constituents, download it here: