Big Tech’s stock prices boomed in 2024. Bay Area-headquartered Nvidia, Apple, Google and Meta were already humongous companies at the start of the year — as of Thursday, they had grown in value by 199 percent, 19 percent, 19 percent and 59 percent, respectively.
Surprisingly strong revenues mean the Legislature likely won’t need to deal with a big deficit in 2025 like it did in 2024, according to a new fiscal outlook from the Legislative Analyst’s Office. But the problems might begin to mount in coming years.
Crystal Taylor, named chief information officer this week for the Department of Health Care Services, enters the role with a stout pedigree and a goal of helping her teams “move those boulders.”
Before her tenure with DHCS, Taylor served in various roles in the California Department of Technology, the State Franchise Tax Board and the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed funding for broadband infrastructure projects and programs faced pushback from the Legislative Analyst’s Office amid a looming budget deficit and the availability of federal funding.
A new report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office scrutinizes “Key Fiscal and Policy Issues Facing California,” including how the state can advance technological innovation while addressing disparities.
State Chief Information Officer Liana Bailey-Crimmins provided point-by-point rebuttals to the new report by the California State Auditor.
The Employment Development Department is recruiting specialists to work on the enterprise-level project, which aims to modernize and streamline its benefit systems.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office, a longtime adviser to state lawmakers, takes a look at IT projects in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2023-2024 Fiscal Year budget.
Secretary of State Shirley Weber said the prior vendor contracts were canceled and her office is now working with the California Department of Technology, using its project management system.
The report specifically addresses the Employment Development Department’s challenges with technology. EDD’s chief information officer addressed how the department is addressing these and other issues recently during an Industry Insider — California Member Briefing.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office supports part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal for modernization of state courts’ technology, but it suggests more oversight by lawmakers on the bulk of his plan for the judicial branch of California.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises lawmakers, has reviewed several funding streams for broadband that have been made available by the federal government and codified in the state budget.
“I believe that FI$Cal will continue to push the envelope and lead the way for California government entities in the adoption and use of modern technologies, systems and practices,” says Miriam Ingenito, director of the Financial Information System for California.
Responsibilities of the position include advising and acting for the chief information officer and developing and implementing IT policies and best practices in commission offices statewide.
A Budget Change Proposal from the California Public Utilities Commission and analysis of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised 2021-2022 budget proposal from the Legislative Analyst’s Office offer more information on how California could ramp up broadband work.
In two Budget and Policy posts, the state Legislative Analyst’s Office examines how a health-care eligibility dashboard has performed and considers funding for a new data system in the governor’s proposed budget.
In a Budget and Policy Post, the Legislative Analyst’s Office recommends approving a governor’s proposed budget request that would continue a slate of IT projects – but with input from lawmakers.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office is supportive of funding for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed state budget, but recommends one key limitation.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office said plans to change how California Department of Technology funds aspects of information security and cybersecurity audits, as well as certain programming and staffing needs, to be paid from the General Fund have merit – but would be costly.
In a recent Budget and Policy Post, the state Legislative Analyst’s Office assessed the California State Payroll System modernization and offered several recommendations.
The Financial Information System for California was designed to integrate state budgeting, accounting and procurement, but the project has again come under scrutiny from an oversight agency.
Upcoming Events
With calendar 2024 coming to a close, it’s a natural time to reflect on the cybersecurity mandates, policies, and strategies that have shaped the last few years in government. One of the most impactful strategies has been Zero Trust.
As cybersecurity threats become increasingly sophisticated, government agencies at all levels are facing a difficult task of securing their networks. Just look at these facts about ransomware attacks on state and local government:
