Each Wednesday, StateScoop’s Priorities Podcast explores the latest in state and local government technology news and analysis. Listen to in-depth conversations with government and industry’s top executives, and learn about trending stories affecting state and local IT leaders ranging from modernization and digital accessibility to the latest advances in generative artificial intelligence.
Inside Minnesota’s $40 Million bet on IT modernization
What does it take to modernize state government when legacy systems, limited budgets and competing priorities stand in the way? Minnesota is taking a different approach, using a $40 million Technology Modernization Fund to accelerate projects across state agencies. The initiative has earned national recognition from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers — but what makes the model work, and what can other states learn from it? This week we’re joined by Jon Eichten, the commissioner of Minnesota IT Services and state chief information officer, to explore those questions and more.
Top stories this week:
New York City has launched NYC Mental Health Connect, a website helping residents find mental health and substance use services from more than 600 providers. Users can search based on insurance, language, age and appointment availability, with options ranging from outpatient care and crisis services to housing and employment support. The platform received $5 million in one-time funding from New York state’s Office of Mental Health. The launch aims to address barriers to care, as a city report found that 24% of teens who wanted or needed mental health care did not know where to find it.
Minnesota is facing potential Medicaid funding cuts as the Trump administration ramps up its fraud crackdown. CMS has deferred $550 million in state funding and threatened to withhold $2 billion annually. As Minnesota awaits a decision on the deferred payments, state officials are demanding transparency into the AI and data analytics tools the federal government used to flag health care providers as potentially high-risk.
A new economic study estimates that eliminating the federal E-Rate program, which helps schools and libraries pay for internet access, could cost the U.S. economy $4.2 billion annually. The study found that every dollar in federal support removed would reduce economic output by about $1.60, with losses also affecting wages and tax revenue. The findings come as the Federal Communications Commission reviews the program, and is in the process of gathering comments.
New episodes of StateScoop’s Priorities Podcast are posted each Wednesday. For more of the latest news and trends across the state and local government technology community, subscribe to the Priorities Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud or Spotify.
7 Oct 2026
The ever-changing role of State CIOs: a reporter's eye view
The everchanging role of State CIOs: a reporter's eye view
Last episode, we heard directly from State Chief Information Officers who attended the annual National Association of State Chief Information Officers conference in San Diego last week. They shared their hopes and fears regarding artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, workforce development and the IT projects they’re undertaking.
This week fellow StateScoop reporter Keely Quinlan, who attended the conference, joins us to talk about the looming DOJ digital accessibility deadline and how artificial intelligence is reshaping the widely held standards for IT modernization and what it means to be a State CIO.
Top stories this week:
A bicameral group of federal lawmakers on Monday introduced the Ban Flock Act, a bill that would block federal funding from state and local governments that use automatic license plate readers and prohibit the federal government from using them or the data they collect. The legislators — Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of N.Y., and Sen. Jeff Merkley, Oregon. — all Democrats, cited the proliferation of the technology across the country and widespread abuses by some law enforcement officers as reasons for writing the bill.
A judge sentenced a Massachusetts man to two years in federal prison this week for his role in a multi-state conspiracy that used stolen identities to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Prosecutors said Raul Vicioso of Fitchburg, MA and three alleged co-conspirators, used personal information belonging to more than 100 people to create 24 fraudulent SNAP “households” in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, resulting in $440,000 in stolen SNAP benefits and more than $700,000 in fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds.
The Vermont Community Broadband Board launched VT Speed Check on Tuesday, a new online tool that lets residents test how fast their broadband connections really are. On the site, Vermonters can find the speed test, a map that anonymously aggregates the results of all speed tests, and tools to help them learn more about their connection. State officials said the app aims to help residents navigate common problems that could result in slower internet speeds.
New episodes of StateScoop’s Priorities Podcast are posted each Wednesday. For more of the latest news and trends across the state and local government technology community, subscribe to the Priorities Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud or Spotify.
30 Sept 2026
Rapidfire Chats with State CIOs at NASCIO's 2026 annual conference
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers held its annual conference this week in San Diego, bringing together dozens of state technology leaders to discuss the most pressing IT challenges agencies across the country are facing, including modernization, cybersecurity and privacy, data infrastructure and of course artificial intelligence.
Some CIOs were enthusiastic about the opportunities AI tools present for digital services and improved efficiency, others were more concerned about the privacy and data risks involved in using the emerging technology.
Top stories this week:
NASCIO released the results of its 2026 State CIO Survey on Monday, highlighting the growing pressures facing state technology leaders, with 68% anticipating increased turbulence and disruption to the role over the next five years. A central theme of the survey is the changing nature of the CIO role, as a majority of state technology leaders said they are navigating expanding responsibilities, rapid technological change and a modernization landscape that is increasingly difficult to keep pace with.
States are turning to lidar, machine learning, satellite imagery and other digital tools to get a better handle on landslide risks as a new round of federal grants helps geological surveys build the data infrastructure needed to map hazards and better prepare for disasters. The U.S. Geological Survey awarded $1 million to 16 states, local and tribal governments — including Pennsylvania, Nevada, North Dakota and Alaska — this month for projects focused on landslide inventories, hazard mapping and risk reduction.
Wyoming has opened a $7.5 million helibase at Casper-Natrona County International Airport this week, designed to speed up wildfire response while giving state firefighters better access to technology and communication infrastructure. The new facility, which won’t be fully operational until the state’s next fire season in June, brings together state forestry staff, wildland firefighters and federal partners at a centralized aviation hub.
New episodes of StateScoop’s Priorities Podcast are posted each Wednesday. For more of the latest news and trends across the state and local government technology community, subscribe to the Priorities Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud or Spotify.
Who has been a guest on Priorities Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Walker Wieland
Keely Quinlan
Sophia Fox-Sowell
Dan Cronin
Dave Cole
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YouTube views
183,124
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 64 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
82
Social presence
0
YouTube
82
Engagement
30
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