Workforce

California looks to AI to automate health insurance enrollment

The state will use artificial intelligence after a pilot found it significantly sped up processing times.

  • By Frank Konkel

‘Artificial intelligence is not innovation,’ it’s a tool. How governments use it will vary.

Some state and local governments may embrace AI wholly, while others may take a more measured approach. Either way, experts said, the competition to be first is moot.

  • By Chris Teale

Port aid, protections for highway and election workers signed into law

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed bills supporting Baltimore-area businesses and workers affected by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

  • By Bryan P. Sears, Maryland Matters

In this Legislature’s Civility Caucus, Republicans and Democrats actually like talking to each other

At Civility Caucus gatherings, conversation might go to hot-button issues, but they are much more productive and sometimes even lead to co-sponsored bills.

  • By Deena Winter, Minnesota Reformer

Government employees need hands-on, standardized AI training

Having a properly defined list of terms helps get everybody on the same page, as does baseline training for every employee.

  • By Chris Teale

It’s time to help more workers save for retirement

COMMENTARY | More states are considering voluntary automated savings programs for employees who lack access to a retirement plan at work.

  • By John Scott

Why so many election officials are leaving

Some states are seeing high rates of turnover among local election officials, according to new research. It’s a troublesome trend that may have a silver lining.

  • By Chris Teale

Is the deal with the NBA Milwaukee Bucks a model for city development projects?

The community benefits agreement that the Bucks owners signed for $250 million in state aid to build the Fiserv Forum included provisions allowing arena workers to freely unionize. It has turned their low-wage, insecure work into sustainable jobs, according to a new report.

  • By Erik Gunn, Wisconsin Examiner

It’s time for local policymakers to cement the Biden administration’s workforce gains

COMMENTARY | By adopting strong job quality standards for government spending, state and local policymakers can improve residents’ quality of life and support a strong, stable workforce for generations to come.

  • By Karla Walter

County supports its aging residents by focusing on family caregivers

To ensure its older adults receive quality care, Fairfax County, Virginia, steps up services for their families.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Biden announces $6B in student debt relief for public service workers

An estimated 78,000 teachers, firefighters and public health workers are among the group of borrowers who will see their debts canceled under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

  • By Nadra  Nittle, The 19th

What are microcredentials? And are they worth having?

COMMENTARY | Microcredentials give employees a way to verify their competencies while providing government and industry with another approach for finding skilled workers.

  • By Daniel Douglas, The Conversation
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The State of Trust in Government
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Working-class people rarely have a seat ‘at the legislative table’ in state capitols

The dearth of working-class legislators raises concerns that economic challenges such as wage stagnation and the rising cost of living will get short shrift in state capitols.

  • By Robbie Sequeira, Stateline

What’s the status of your EMS?

COMMENTARY | As rural communities struggle to keep Emergency Medical Services operating, how do we assess the condition of those services? Are we asking the right questions?

  • By Donna Kallner, The Daily Yonder

‘Brain gain’ in rural America and who is behind it

Young people leave their homes to explore and learn everywhere, not just in rural America. But rural spaces offer some unique advantages that inspire many to return and bolster their communities.

  • By Ilana Newman, The Daily Yonder

School districts offer affordable teacher housing as recruitment tool

With fewer people entering the education profession and leaving earlier, more districts may consider teacher housing to increase attractiveness as they compete for talent. 

  • By Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate

Can student debt relief attract workers to state and local government jobs?

More than 46% of state and local employees reported being “extremely or very worried” about paying back their student loans. A new report suggests addressing that concern could entice more people into the public sector.

  • By Kery Murakami

Meet the newest member of your team: the chief AI officer

Federal agencies must hire a CAIO by year’s end. State and local governments could soon follow their lead, but some observers doubt that another C-suite officer is the best way to go.

  • By Chris Teale

States get some help to recruit caregivers for an aging population

With a projected 9.3 million direct care jobs needing to be filled by 2031, states must find ways to fill that gap. That’s why a new program is helping states build a direct care workforce.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Michigan governor proposes a caregiver tax credit—an idea many Americans support

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is proposing a $5,000 tax credit to support caregiving services like counseling and transportation.

  • By Sarah E. Patterson and Adriana Reyes, The Conversation

White House beefs up child care block grants

A new rule caps the total amount low-income families have to pay for child care at 7% of their income and directs states to pay child care providers more fairly and on time.

  • By Susan Miller