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Technical.ly
4 days ago
- Business
- Technical.ly
The other approach to ‘government efficiency': How digital teams serve the public
Government efficiency is a hot-button issue this year, with masses of federal workers having lost their jobs in its name. But when it comes to state and local government, efficiency-based reform is all about making things work smoothly, with the help of tech. 'The Other Approach to Government Efficiency,' a session at the 2025 Builders Conference, featured two civic innovators: Eliza Erickson, who leads permit reform efforts in Pennsylvania's Governor's Office, and Max Gigle, a digital product leader in Connecticut. Moderated by Kaela Roeder, the panel broke down how government can better serve people, even when the results don't make headlines. 'In some ways, government is 15 years behind the arc of technology and innovation in the private sector,' Erickson said. 'But we're recognizing more and more the need for real, high-quality technology in the public sector — and we're finding ways to invest in that talent.' Rather than focus on flashy apps or front-facing dashboards, both panelists stressed that the most meaningful work starts much deeper in the process. Gigle, who leads digital efforts for Connecticut's Department of Administrative Services, described how his team redesigned the state's approach to business licensing. What seemed like a simple task — building a new website — actually required collaboration with more than a dozen agencies, deep process mapping and a culture change in how services are delivered. 'If someone said, 'We made a website and it took eight months,' I think most folks in the tech world would be like, 'What in the world are you doing with their money?'' Gigle said. 'But in order to really get to the core of the challenge, it took a lot of time to ask questions of what's important here, how do we work across a ton of different stakeholders that have different interests, how do we centralize brands and work through tough challenges?' In Connecticut, that meant understanding that the real barrier to entrepreneurship wasn't the form itself, but the knowledge gap around what to do when, and with whom. Sustainability over splash Both Gigle and Erickson emphasized that true government innovation is measured in staying power, not just short-term wins. Erickson stressed that at its core, 'successful government innovation … has to be sustainable,' so it lives on after the specific tech team that led that initiative leaves. Her own team builds from the ground up, empowering the frontline staff who will be there long after an administration changes, making sure they have ownership over new systems and practices. Making lasting change also means being honest about progress: If a new permit system isn't fully rolled out yet, talk about the education campaigns, the translation work and the user testing that's already reshaping the process. Those behind-the-scenes steps may not sound exciting, but they're often the reason a teacher can get certified faster, or a barber can open shop a few months earlier. Narrative, Erikson said, is also important. Government work is often invisible unless it fails, so part of the challenge is sharing success in ways people actually understand, whether that's via TikTok, community meetings or just clearer metrics. She pointed to Pennsylvania's push to reframe permit reform as a tangible quality-of-life issue, not just red tape. 'If you are a teacher looking for a job and it takes you six months to get your certification, that's six months that you're not allowed to work,' Erickson said. 'If we shorten that time to two months, that's four more months of income. That is really impactful.' Inviting more people into public service Civic technologists — a group that once meant mostly IT staff — now include designers, product managers, data analysts and software engineers. Both panelists encouraged students and career switchers to consider public-sector roles, even if they've never seen themselves in government. 'If you care about your city and your state, get involved,' Gigle said. 'Government … can look toxic on the surface. It's not sexy every single day, but, I promise you, the outcome is fantastic.' The skills you build in government — navigating complexity, managing risk, scaling services — translate directly into roles in big tech and beyond, he added. Erickson agreed, especially when it comes to the early career opportunity. 'You can put your skills to positive use in such a tangible way,' she said. 'You do two or three years in the public sector, and it puts you on a really impactful career path.' What innovation really looks like During a wide-ranging Q&A, attendees asked about risk, disruption and why the government seems so slow to change. Gigle offered a clear-eyed take: The real risk is not changing. And disruption can come in many forms, from COVID's sudden shift to remote service delivery to a renewed focus on equity and inclusion within government ranks. Erickson noted that meaningful change often comes from within, when agencies empower the right people to ask why. 'A lot of the bureaucracy and the red tape that exists in government is because someone at some point really believed that it was the right thing,' she said. 'The problem is that we just build bureaucracy and regulations on top of bureaucracy and regulations without unpacking what's been done.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
OLCC executive director retires after leading agency through time of ‘tumult'
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Craig Prins, the executive director of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission announced his retirement on Thursday following his appointment to the position as the agency faced an ethics scandal. Prins announced his retirement during a regular OLCC meeting on Thursday. His retirement will be effective July 1. 'This has obviously been a tough decision to make,' Prins told commissioners. 'I am grateful for your trust and partnership over these last two years. While difficult, I also believe this is the right decision at the right time. We have reached major milestones in modernizing the OLCC's operations and rebuilding the public's confidence in our mission. Having had the honor to work with this organization's dedicated public servants, I have complete faith in their ability to build on this progress.' Investigation leads to search warrants at Oregon Coast animal safari park 'We have steadied the organization and placed the OLCC not just on a path to restore public trust but to enhance and expand the confidence Oregonians can have in us,' Prins told commissioners. Prins started his public service career as a deputy district attorney in Multnomah County, prosecuting criminal, delinquency and child dependency cases. Prins also served as inspector general of the Oregon Department of Corrections. Under his leadership at the OLCC, the agency recently broke ground on an $87 million warehouse in Canby and started 'a major technology overhaul' of the agency's distilled spirits retail and distribution infrastructure, the OLCC said, noting Prins said he accepted the position to 'steady the agency' and build a foundation for future success. California-founded Southern food chain expanding to Oregon The goal to 'steady the agency' came after Oregon Governor Tina Kotek called on then-OLCC Director Steve Marks to step down in February 2023 after an internal investigation found Marks and five other . After , OLCC commissioners followed Kotek's request and voted to appoint Prins as interim director. Prins was later appointed as the agency's leader in October of that year. During his time at the agency, Prins faced his own investigation by the Department of Administrative Services for allegedly leaving a work trip to attend the Orange Bowl, as first reported by The Oregonian. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now In response to the investigation, Prins released a statement, explaining, 'I am aware that an allegation was made to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) about my attendance at the Orange Bowl game on January 9th, 2025. It was alleged that I misused state resources and time to do so. This allegation was thoroughly investigated by the Chief Human Resources Office (CHRO) of DAS. The CHRO investigation found the allegation to be unsubstantiated. I personally paid for the ticket, transportation, and other associated costs and took vacation time. Chair Doherty and I conferred, and he did not need me to staff him for the committee meetings that were held on the afternoon I traveled. I received no per diem on the day of the game. It is also important to note that I cooperated fully with this investigation.' The OLCC also announced Thursday that commissioners appointed Tara Wasiak as the agency's new director. Before joining the OLCC, Wasiak was interim director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation. 'I'm excited by what lies ahead for the OLCC,' Wasiak told Commissioners. 'I'm committed to building on our recent successes and demonstrating to Oregonians the value of our agency's work.' 'On behalf of my fellow commissioners, I want to thank Craig for his distinguished service to the OLCC and to the state,' said Commission Chair, Dennis Doherty. 'The revenues raised by the OLCC help keep our communities beautiful, safe, and prosperous. The innovative programs and projects Craig has initiated mean that we will be able to deliver these benefits to Oregonians for decades to come. This is a well-deserved retirement, and we wish Craig well.' In a statement shared with KOIN 6 News, Roxy Mayer, a spokesperson for the governor's office added, 'Executive Director Craig Prins jumped into the leadership role at OLCC at a time of tumult for the Commission. He delivered exactly what Oregon needed: stability, consistency, and a dedication to excellent customer service. The Governor wishes him the best in his retirement,' adding, 'The Governor knows Tara Wasiak will continue the example Director Prins set and will lead the Commission with integrity and accountability.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Looking forward to your tax kicker next year? Forecast shows slight drop in 2026
PORTLAND, Ore. () — The projected kicker for state taxpayers in 2026 has slightly declined since officials last released the Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast. The Department of Administrative Services unveiled the on Wednesday. According to the Office of Economic Analysis, more than $1.726 billion in refunds are estimated to go to personal income taxpayers in 2026. New exhibition gives closer look at how Oregon topography has changed since early 1900s The projected a return of more than $1.792 billion. A 1979 law established that officials must refund taxpayers if Oregon's actual revenue throughout a two-year period exceeds the estimated amount. In 2024, this led to a . While the latest projections show a massive decline from last year, the new numbers represent less than a 4% drop from the December forecast. The Office of Economic Analysis reported that Oregon's General Fund resources will grow to $38.2 billion — an increase of $350.1 million during the 2025-2027 biennium. Leaders have consequently noted the state's healthy economy. 'Oregon's economy continues to be stable, and now is not the time to get distracted,' Gov. Tina Kotek said, in part, in a statement. 'We must lean in on what we see working when it comes to housing and homelessness, mental health and addiction and education.' However, the new forecast noted federal changes could affect funding. What does it take to be middle class in the Pacific Northwest in 2025? New study explains President Donald Trump's proposal to impose 25% tariffs on imports and exports from Canada and Mexico could hinder some businesses contributing to Oregon's economy, like those in the . The administration has also begun job cuts at the federal level, which has . 'We need to be prepared for economic headwinds created by the federal administration's actions and for potential cuts to federal programs that Oregonians rely on, like Medicaid,' Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey said in a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
First lady Marty Kemp unveils new anti-human trafficking legislation, initiatives
ATLANTA - First lady Marty Kemp and the Office of the Governor introduced a new bill on Thursday aimed at strengthening Georgia's fight against human trafficking. Senate Bill 42, the 10th piece of legislation backed by Kemp on this issue, seeks to close a legal loophole that could allow traffickers to receive lighter sentences under the state's rule of lenity. What we know Under current Georgia law, crimes related to human trafficking involving minors overlap with existing offenses such as keeping a place of prostitution, pimping, and pandering. This overlap allows traffickers to potentially receive more lenient sentences. SB 42 aims to eliminate this possibility, ensuring traffickers face full legal consequences. The announcement comes as part of Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month, observed each January. Alongside SB 42, First Lady Kemp introduced several new initiatives to strengthen awareness and equip Georgians with tools to combat trafficking. What's next First Lady Kemp, in partnership with the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), has launched an updated human trafficking awareness training for state employees. This enhanced resource incorporates recent developments in survivor support and law enforcement efforts. The training is available to all state agencies and will be accessible to the public on YouTube. What Else Is Being Done In collaboration with the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), First Lady Kemp also released a new public service announcement (PSA) to be displayed at Georgia's ports. With thousands of trucks passing through the state's port facilities each day, the PSA aims to educate drivers about recognizing and reporting trafficking activity. These initiatives build upon Georgia's ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, which began with the establishment of the GRACE Commission (Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education). The commission's work has included awareness campaigns, law enforcement training, and victim support programs. Additionally, the first lady and leaders of the Georgia General Assembly and Attorney General Chris Carr created a first-of-its-kind statewide Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit in 2019. Since then, they have secured 54 convictions, led or assisted more than 330 case investigations, and rescued and assisted nearly 200 children. What you can do First Lady Kemp encouraged all Georgians to participate in awareness efforts and report suspected trafficking incidents. If you suspect human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll free at (888) 373-7888. To report suspected human trafficking in Georgia, call the Statewide 24-Hour Human Trafficking Hotline at (866) 363-4842. If you have reason to believe that a victim is in imminent danger, call 911 or your local law enforcement agency to file a report. For more information on how to get help for both national and foreign-born victims of human trafficking, visit
