Ideas

Stimulus Bill Fogs Transparency

As I'm writing this post, I'm also trying to download part A of the 500-page conference stimulus bill posted on The House Rules Committee's <a href="http://www.rules.house.gov/">Web site</a> yesterday just before midnight. I've been trying all morning and it looks like it will take at least another 30 minutes to download the 13 megabyte file.

Digital Government

Final stimulus bill preserves IT spending, with some exceptions

Electronic health records, broadband and agencies' modernization projects receive big money, while some projects hit the Hill's cutting room floor.

Digital Government

Hoekstra denies online messaging compromised Middle East trip

"Twitterversy" underscores how social networking is outpacing federal guidelines for releasing information.

Ideas

Oops, a Top Secret Tweet?

Perhaps there is a limit to how much information the government should release via social media. From <a href=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10159054-2.html>CNet</a>:

Digital Government

Feds and YouTube close to reaching a deal to post video

Government officials are negotiating terms of service for popular social media sites.

Modernization

Agencies used social media to manage salmonella outbreak

Federal health officials relied on widgets, blogs, Twitter, podcasts, mobile alerts and videos to keep public up to date on tainted peanut products.

Modernization

Observers say D.C. CTO would bring innovative approach to e-gov

Some warn that Kundra will find change in federal government more difficult than at the city level.

Digital Government

Senators consider cutting Agriculture IT funds from stimulus

Money for Farm Service Agency upgrade could get the ax, but critic says money is needed to process payments for farmers.

Modernization

Kundra said to be Obama's pick for OMB e-gov chief

The District of Columbia's chief technology officer has focused on applications that promote public collaboration, transparency and performance.

Digital Government

Killefer's resignation seen as setback for federal IT

Technology professionals express disappointment, urge Obama to find a replacement with similar experience inside and outside government.

Digital Government

Satisfaction with federal Web sites reaches new heights

Improved marks come as the Obama administration takes office, promising enhanced transparency.

Ideas

Alliant SB open for business

GSA sent out an announcement that Alliant Small Business is officially accepting task orders. In case you forgot, the contract was <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20081218_2311.php">awarded</a> to 72 companies back in December. Today's announcement means the protest period is over and GSA is finally ready to move forward with part of the <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080306_3378.php">troubled</a> contract vehicle.

Digital Government

GAO: Bank Secrecy Act data at risk of disclosure

Report says Treasury must do more to restrict unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Digital Government

E-Verify contractor rule delayed again

Lawmakers still press for a requirement to check workers' citizenship for jobs created by a stimulus bill.

Digital Government

GSA awards hefty regional telecom deal

Contract brings competitive pricing to agencies in small towns and rural areas.

Cybersecurity

Senate stimulus bill packed with IT spending

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Digital Government

MP3 privacy breach exposes government's privacy liability

Security specialists say incident underscores need for government to better protect federal employees' and citizens' personal information.

Ideas

Obama Unveils Cybersecurity Agenda

Buried under the <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/homeland_security/">Homeland Security agenda</a> section on WhiteHouse.gov is the administration's plan to protect our national information networks. The entire cybersecurity section is copied after the jump:

Digital Government

Farm Service Agency welcomes proposed funds for IT upgrade

Money included in the House's economic stimulus package would help FSA reduce delays in processing payments for farmers, officials say.

Digital Government

HHS adopts new rules to coordinate health care technology

Uniform IT standards remove another barrier in creating a national network of electronic health records.