Category Archives: Government

AI Governance Checklist for Elected Officials from The Center for Democracy and Technology

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I love a good checklist. Even if you may never need the checklist, I think looking over it gives you a good idea of how something works and what’s involved. The Center for Democracy and Technology has created a check list for AI use in government…

This brief provides elected officials and senior leaders working in state and local government with a checklist of core recommendations specifically aimed at building government-wide structures, strategies, and processes to advance trustworthy and responsible use of AI in public benefits and services across five core areas:

  • Public Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement: Improve public awareness and understanding of AI by establishing public AI inventories, prioritizing public education about government use of AI, creating advisory councils with members of the public to inform agency AI decision-making, implementing mechanisms for meaningful feedback from the public, and instituting plain-language notices and explanations for affected individuals.
  • Accuracy and Reliability: Ensure that AI projects advance agency goals and combat AI-driven challenges by adopting acceptable AI use policies or guidelines, grounding the acquisition and use of AI tools in evidence-based decision-making, establishing minimum government-wide AI performance and testing standards and procurement criteria, implementing regular independent audits of AI tools (including post-deployment), building in requirements for human oversight and training, and prioritizing investment in AI talent.
  • Governance and Coordination: Promote cross-agency governance practices by adopting a government-wide AI plan and governance strategy, appointing a chief AI officer or equivalent senior leader, creating AI governance boards, establishing centralized emergency response protocols and AI incident reporting, engaging cross-functional staff in AI decision-making, establishing forums for government employees to provide input on AI projects, and incorporating responsible AI guidance into existing employee training and onboarding materials.
  • Privacy and Security: Identify and mitigate AI-related privacy and security harms by updating cybersecurity and data policies; establishing privacy and security protections in AI procurement; integrating chief privacy, information security, and data officers throughout AI decision-making; and prioritizing privacy and cybersecurity in employee AI training.
  • Safety, Rights, and Legal Compliance: Address the risks that AI systems may pose to the public’s safety and rights by integrating civil rights, risk, and legal officers throughout AI decision-making; establishing heightened risk management requirements for high-impact uses; and prioritizing legal compliance and identification and mitigation of AI harms in employee AI training.

Take time for an important story: When big cyberattacks hit small towns

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Big thanks to Ben Winchester for the heads up on this one. Click Here is a podcast that “tells stories about the people making and breaking our digital world.” Last week, they focused on When big cyberattacks hit small towns. It’s a quick 30-minute broadcast. It tells a sobering story of cyber security challenges in rural areas. I won’t retell the story, but I will share the messages that resonated with me:

  • While big cities often have cyber security teams or people or at least an IT department, smaller cities, towns and counties don’t. That means that cyber security in smaller governments is left to no one or everyone, the results can be the same.
  • Back in the day, everyone had a different security solution. It’s more homogenous now; even between small and large local governments. So, a cyber criminal can learn a lot about “how things are done” even in hacking a small town.
  • Unlike having your car or wallet stolen, a cyber crime is hard to recognize. You don’t always know what a thief got, how they got in or if they have been locked out. You don’t always know who did it or why.

Legislative Commission on Data Practices talk about data privacy, retention, health apps and automated license plate readers

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Today, I listened to the Legislative Commission on Data Practices meeting. It felt a little broadband-adjacent at first but the more I listened, the more interested I became. At the root of the discussions is the recognition that the laws are often not keeping up with the technology. Here’s the agenda for the meeting:

  1. Approval of October 15, 2025, Minutes
  2. Modern data privacy best practices around data minimization, retention, and maintenance
  3. Current challenges with data retention
  4. Treatment of geolocation data
  5. Intersection of HIPAA/HITEC, the MN Health Records Act, and the MN Consumer Data Privacy Act
  6. ALPR and Body Camera reporting requirements
  7. Data privacy as it relates to the interplay of state and federal government
  8. Adjourn

I was least focused on data retention portion, but my ears perked up when someone noted that many of the policies in place were written in the 1980s. That’s back when the retained “while you were out” messages left on your desk for a missed call. That helps ground the further conversation to realize that the government is trying to manage privacy and “customer” expectations using technology from 2025 and rules from 1985. And even the legislators talk about having one set of expectations for their personal privacy while wanting to use personal data to improve government processes. It’s a delicate balance.

The discussion included mention of a proposed law on health apps and easier access for parents to help manage kids’ health records, rethinking access to geolocation with an eye toward people using reverse warrants to overzealously observe residents and learning about unintended uses of automated license plate readers.

EVENT Nov 18-20 GovIT Leadership Summit & Symposium at the Mall of America

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From the planners...

Bringing Together Government IT Leaders, Innovators, and Visionaries to Promote Transformative Change!

The GOVIT Leadership Summit & Symposium, produced and hosted by the Public Technology Institute, is the can’t miss event for all government IT across the nation. Join us this fall to see where the future of government IT is going!

This Year’s Theme is Navigating Change in Uncertain Times: Let’s Solve Today’s Challenges—Together!

EVENT Nov 13: Let’s Talk About Data Centers and Water Usage in Duluth

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This looks like an interesting meeting from Minnesota Women’s Press…

Thursday, November 13, 2025 6:30 PM –  8:30 PM CT

Zeitgeist Zinema 1, 222 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802

Join us for an in-person viewing of a powerful conversation featuring CURE’s Sarah Mooradian, who will speak on the growing water demands of data centers—why it matters, how it affects rural and urban communities, and what we can do to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future. Don’t miss this critical conversation on technology, water, and justice. Come learn, connect, and be part of the change. Free and open to the public.

 

Government shutdown disrupts telehealth at Winona Health

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WXOW reports…

The federal government shutdown is creating new challenges for Winona Health patients who rely on telehealth.

Winona Health officials say the number of people affected is small, but Medicare patients are feeling the change. Some visits that had been conducted virtually must now happen in person.

Hospice care is also impacted. Certain recertification visits that were allowed over telehealth will now require face-to-face appointments.

Administrators say they expect telehealth options to return once Congress resolves the budget impasse.

North St Paul experiences cyberattack

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Minnesota Star Tribune reports…

Public safety and essential city services continue to operate in North St. Paul as the city investigates a recent cyberattack on the city’s Police Department.

The breach was related to a phishing email sent to one business email account within the North St. Paul Police Department, said city spokeswoman Ava Griemert.

The attack was contained to a single account. There has been no impact outside of the one affected account, Griemert said.

On Monday, the City Council voted to hire a law firm to provide legal services and approved a contract with a cybersecurity company to conduct an investigation after what is being called a “business email compromise” came to light.

“Thanks to our IT team’s swift response, the unauthorized access was quickly identified, isolated, and terminated,” the city said Tuesday.

It’s important to see what’s happening in the area and how different local governments are taking care of the situation.

Minnesota National Guard assists city of St. Paul after cyberattack

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Minnestoa Public Radio reports...

Gov. Tim Walz called in the Minnesota National Guard on Tuesday to help the city of St. Paul with a cyberattack and make sure city services continue.

St. Paul experienced the cyberattack on Friday. The governor said in an emergency executive order that the attack targeted “critical systems and digital services” and caused disruptions to vital services throughout the weekend.

“St. Paul officials have been working around the clock since discovering the cyberattack, closely
coordinating with Minnesota Information Technology Services and an external cybersecurity vendor,” the executive order said. “Unfortunately, the scale and complexity of this incident exceeded both internal and commercial response capabilities.”

The city asked the state for support from the National Guard.

The order calls on the National Guard to provide cybersecurity services in collaboration with the city and state.

City officials said online payments and some online services are unavailable after the attack.

The city said “911 remains fully operational.” But a statement on St. Paul’s website asks in cases of non-emergencies such as “public safety or infrastructure concerns,” that residents call 651-291-1111.

Legislative investments will benefit MN Ag Community: including weather network

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Morning Ag Clips reports…

Minnesota agriculture is set up for success after a unique legislative session that saw an evenly divided House of Representatives and. split Senate. On May 23, Governor Walz signed the Agriculture and Broadband Development Policy and Finance Bill and the Legacy Finance Bill into law. The Ag Bill funds the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), Minnesota Board of Animal Health and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, while the Legacy Bill makes major investments in our soil and water resources.

Likely because of the expected federal broadband funding (BEAD), there isn’t a lot of mention of broadband (outside of the committee name) but there is a mention of expanded access to weather information and to optimize use of that information, farmers will want precision ag equipment, software and the broadband to access it in the fields…

The Minnesota Ag Weather Network will continue its expansion with more funding. Soybean growers across the state will have access to real-time weather information as we build the network across central and southern Minnesota.

Burnsville License Center closed due to a fiber internet outage

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Here’s the news from Dakota County Facebook page…

The Burnsville License Center is currently closed due to a fiber optic internet outage.
Burnhaven Library remains open, but internet access is currently unavailable. We will share updates as soon as service is restored.
Thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this issue.
It looks like it was restored the next day (today). But it’s a reminder of how integral broadband is to daily life.

How can we help veterans get online? Will Trump Administration changes make that harder?

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Last year the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society did some research and found that veterans are not online at same rate as peers. Benton followed up to find ways that individual states (including MN highlighted below) have been able boost the digital divide for veterans.

The Digital Equity Act Helps States Close the Digital Divide

For Veterans Day 2024, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society and the Department of Veterans Affairs analyzed 50 digital equity plans to understand how states planned to help bring online the people who have served in the armed services.

We laid out five key strategies adopted by states that have thoughtfully addressed Veterans in their digital equity plans:

  1. Link needs assessments to implementation strategies.

Most state digital equity plans followed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) model guidance to include both a needs assessment and implementation strategy for all covered populations. We found that the best plans tied these efforts together in an intentional manner.

Approximately 83 percent of individuals in the US fall into at least one covered population. Many individuals are a part of more than one covered population. Unfortunately, populations with considerable overlap were sometimes treated as one in the planning process. We found that the states that were intentional about examining each covered population as unique groups ended up with more coherent implementation strategies. Minnesota carefully separates Veterans from other covered populations, treating “Veterans as Veterans rather than Veterans as a subset of older adults.” New York’s plan connects each of its implementation strategies for serving Veterans to a specific need.

  1. Leverage other state and federal agencies.

State digital equity plans recognize the importance of coordinating with other federal and state agencies. Coordination is especially important when planning to serve and providing services to Veterans, as there are agencies like the Veterans Affairs and state departments of Veterans Services already providing services to Veterans.

  1. Identify specific standout partners.

There is a vast network of over 7,000 veteran service organizations throughout the country. The Benton Institute’s recent Human Infrastructure of Broadband project analyzed a database of over 250 organizations that provide direct service to access broadband and digital skills resources. Of these, 92 serve Veterans.

Exemplary state digital equity plans were thorough in identifying the trusted Veterans service organizations that operate in the states. These organizations will be vital partners for implementing state digital equity strategies. These partners can be government organizations, national non-profits (like the Wounded Warrior Project), regional non-profits (like the Alaska Warrior Partnership), or even local branches of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

  1. Design a workforce strategy for Veterans.

Many state plans found that Veterans may be an untapped resource to close workforce gaps in industries such as semi-conductor manufacturing and cybersecurity. Veterans, especially younger Veterans, are likely to have received on-the-job training that directly or indirectly prepares them for these fields.

However, identifying Veterans as an asset to closing workforce gaps is not enough. To maximize impact, states created implementation strategies that direct Veterans to the industries in which they are likely to succeed based on their experience. In addition to more advanced workforce training programs, foundational digital skills training should be available to all Veterans who need it.

  1. Prioritize access to health care.

The Veteran population has complex medical needs compared to non-veterans. Most states acknowledged that Veterans, especially rural Veterans, are positioned to benefit from telehealth access. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of telehealth services to its patients.

The VA promotes telehealth use through its Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) program, which places telehealth access points in community locations such as VFW and American Legion posts. However, broadband infrastructure, broadband affordability, and digital skills gaps prevent many Veterans from accessing these services.

The question for 2025, is if the current Administration has created barriers…

These strategies will help eradicate the digital divide for Veterans across the country—if the Trump NTIA allows states to implement them.

At the start of 2025, the NTIA recommended awards totaling hundreds of millions of dollars to support organizations that serve all eight covered populations, including Veterans.

Unfortunately, some policymakers have raised opposition to bill that would support efforts to connect veterans.

MN Senate Media Upgrade makes is easier to stay civically engaged

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It’s Saturday. I’m doing the laundry and catching up on the Minnesota Legislature with the various summary videos and articles. The Senate Media Upgrade caught my eye. Fun to hear about must fiber they are using in this project alone and what a difference it is making.

I was just singing the praises of the ability to watch committee meetings from home – at any time with labels and subtitles. It’s now possible to feel like you’re in two places at once. Also, this an opportunity to remind folks that this privilege is reserved for those of us with adequate broadband.

Bill introduced in MN House: FH2231: authorizing online publication of public notices when no qualified newspaper is available for local governments

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The MN House reports…

Harder; Nash; Klevorn; Tabke; Scott; Bakeberg; Hanson, J., and Elkins introduced:

H. F. 2231, A bill for an act relating to local government; modifying requirements for publishing notice in a qualified newspaper; authorizing online publication of public notices when no qualified newspaper is available; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 331A.10, subdivision 2.

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations.

The bill as introduced...

A bill for an act
relating to local government; modifying requirements for publishing notice in a
qualified newspaper; authorizing online publication of public notices when no
qualified newspaper is available; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section
331A.10, subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 331A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Discontinuance.

(a) When a newspaper ceases to be published before the
publication of a public notice is commenced, or when commenced ceases before the
publication is completed, the following procedures apply: (1) when the publication is required
by court order, the order for publication, when one is required in the first instance, may be
amended by order of the court or judge, to designate another newspaper, as may be necessary.
If no order is required in the first instance,; or (2) when the publication is required by law,
rule, or ordinance, the publication may be made or completed in any other qualified
newspaper.

(b) If no qualified newspaper is available for publication of a public notice after the
discontinuance of a newspaper, the political subdivision must post the information required
to be published on the political subdivision’s website until another qualified newspaper is
identified, which shall then be designated. During the time when no qualified newspaper is
available, the political subdivision must also post the public notice on the Minnesota
Newspaper Association’s statewide public notice website, at no additional cost to the political
subdivision.

(c) Any time during which the notice is published in the first a newspaper prior to its
discontinuance shall be calculated as a part of the time required for the publication, proof
of which may be made by affidavit of any person acquainted with the facts.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Open meeting laws unlimited remote participation authorization modification provision

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The MN Senate Committee on State and Local Government looked at SF787: Open meeting laws unlimited remote participation authorization modification provision. It was laid over. This isn’t a bill that will help deploy broadband in Minnesota; it’s a bill that makes the case that Minnesota needs ubiquitous broadband;

Documents from the Senate

Open meeting laws unlimited remote participation authorization modification provision

Testifiers: – Laura Oksnevad, School Board Member – Dr. Terry Morrow, MN School Board Association

  • SF-0787-Supporting-Remote-Participation-by-MCD.pdf (PDF)

  • scs0787a-1.pdf (PDF)

  • SF-787-LMC-31125.pdf (PDF)

  • 2025311_0787_BPS_testimony.pdf (PDF)

  • SF-787-Bill-Summary.pdf (PDF)

High level notes:

Senator Mann

  • Author’s Amendment – adopted
  • Removes language that prevents people from participating to meetings remotely. Removes outdated language

Testifiers

Laura Oksnevad, School Board Member

  • Online access to board meetings had increased access. Current restrictions prevent board members from participating. It hinders progress.
  • People should be able to participate is they have COVID, broken ankle or sick kid.
  • Helps keep sick people from showing up an infecting others

Dr. Terry Morrow, MN School Board Association

  • This is most common problem with school board attendance

Here’s the bill as introduced… Continue reading →

EVENT Mar 11: MN Senate Committee discusses SF787: Open meeting laws unlimited remote participation authorization modification provision

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From the MN Senate…

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – 12 Noon
Committee on State and Local Government
Chair: Sen. Tou Xiong
12 Noon
Room 1200 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
*Agenda items may be added or removed. Please submit documents to mikayla.mtanous@mnsenate.gov by Monday, March 10, 2025 at 12:00pm. Late submissions may not be posted in advance of the hearing or included in prepared materials for committee members. TESTIMONY: Testimony is limited. The number of testifiers and length of time permitted is at the discretion of the chair and is subject to change. Please plan accordingly. If you would like to testify, please email the Committee Administrator, mikayla.mtanous@mnsenate.gov by Monday, March 10, 2025 at 12:00pm. Requests for Zoom testimony must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Include the bill number, your name, title and/or organization where applicable, and whether your testimony will be in support of or opposition to the bill. WRITTEN TESTIMONY AND HANDOUTS: Written testimony is encouraged. To submit written testimony or hand-outs, email Committee Administrator, mikayla.mtanous@mnsenate.gov by Monday, March 10, 2025 at 12:00pm. Please email the submission in following pdf format: yearmonthday_bill number_organization_testimony-or-handout Example: 20250329_SF2373_MinnesotaOrganizationName_Testimony
Agenda:
Call to Order
S.F. 447-Rest/Rest: Consumer protection restitution account establishment, public compensation payments exclusion from certain calculations of income, and appropriation.
S.F. 1592-Kupec: State songs designation.
S.F. 1690-Kupec/Kupec: Stewardship program establishment for circuit boards, batteries, and electrical products.
S.F. 787-Mann: Open meeting laws unlimited remote participation authorization modification provision.

I think this is interesting for two reasons. First, it removes location from being a barrier in participating in State meetings. Second, it makes the case for ubiquitous broadband since only those with adequate broadband will be able to participate.