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NASCIO's Advocacy Agenda: Investing in the Invisible Infrastructure

NASCIO's President and Minnesota's CIO, Gopal Khanna, was a featured columnist for Governing last month. Khanna discussed how the country's economy depends on smart technology and that maintaining and improving the digital infrastructure will be essential to the nation.

NASCIO Meets with the Presidential Transition Team

President Gopal Khanna, Doug Robinson, Executive Director and Pam Walker, Director of Government Affairs met with members of the Presidential Transition Policy Working Group on Technology, Innovation and Government Reform in DC on January 8. They had an informative meeting to discuss NASCIO recommendations in a number of key areas including a request that a portion of the economic recovery stimulus funding be allocated for state IT modernization. The team members were very interested in NASCIO's perspectives and policy recommendations, especially in regards to reforms needed in federal IT funding, federal coordination and cyber security. NASCIO looks forward to working with the new administration to advance our advocacy agenda on behalf of the states.

Midyear Conference Updates

Make Connections that Count by sponsoring the 2009 NASCIO Midyear Conference scheduled for April 28 - May 1 in Baltimore, Maryland. Visit the following the link for more information about the sponsorship opportunities. The deadline for sponsorship reservations is April 3, 2009. www.nascio.org/events/2009midyear

The 2009 Midyear Conference theme is Information Technology Enables Change. Be sure to visit the New Midyear Conference website. Registrations for the conference will be accepted beginning on January 26 . The Virtual Resource Center will open on February 2 and will feature educational video presentations, whitepapers, research briefs and other educational materials from conference sponsors. NASCIO will give away one iPod nano to a lucky visitor to the Resource Center. Each qualifying person (must be a state or corporate member) who accesses a whitepaper between February 2 and April 27 will have the opportunity to register their name for the prize drawing. The winner will be announced at the Midyear Conference.

NASCIO Urges State Participation in Data Privacy Day

On January 28, 2009, the United States, Canada, and twenty-seven European countries are celebrating the second annual Data Privacy Day to raise awareness and generate discussion about data privacy practices and rights in the US and internationally. US-based activities have included privacy professionals, corporations, government officials, academics, and students across the country. NASCIO is pleased to note that many state privacy and security programs and attorneys general have joined this effort. We urge other states to consider promoting privacy awareness through participation in these activities. The states of Arizona, California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington are actively participating in the event.

NASCIO Government Affairs Newsletter Coming Soon!

Would you like to know more about the latest congressional actions and federal agency news? NASCIO will be unveiling a new biweekly state CIO and state member's only newsletter, NASCIO Government Affairs - Inside Washington. The newsletter will provide insights on IT issues inside the beltway and will be sent to the NASCIO state CIO and state member listserv starting early next week.

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