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Economic Stimulus Package Impact on the States

On February 17, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. The House and Senate passed the $787.2 billion measure last week. It is a mixture of tax cuts and spending. The bill sped through Congress in about six weeks from concept to final votes. The 1100 page measure contains $144 billion to assist states with education, Medicaid and infrastructure projects. The measure is packed with billions of dollars that could benefit state and local government IT.

NASCIO hosted a conference call briefing on February 17 for NASCIO, NASACT, NASPO and NASBO members to learn about the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on states. David Quam, the Director of Federal Relations for the National Governors Association, and Scott Pattison, the Executive Director for the National Association of State Budget Officers, briefed participants on the latest developments and expectations for implementation. Over 600 state officials participated representing all 50 states, DC, Guam and Puerto Rico. State members may click here to hear the audio from the call.

NASCIO is Pleased to Announce the Release of its New Video "Taking the Lead: Green IT in the States"

Government runs on IT. And green IT is a growing movement that requires attention from government leaders looking to streamline and modernize their IT operations. States are proven leaders in going green, and this exciting new video highlights the ways that state governments, with their state CIO, can start greening IT practices today. By exploring these opportunities now, states can lead by example. How green is your IT?

To view the video in streaming format or to request your free DVD copy of Taking the Lead: Green IT in the States, visit www.nascio.org.

NASCIO would like to thank Dugan Petty, Chair of NASCIO's Green IT Video Working Group and State of Oregon CIO and the working group members for their commitment, vision and participation in this project. NASCIO would also like to thank the following corporate sponsors who provided funding for this video: Adobe Systems, BDNA, CGI, Citrix Systems, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Symantec, Unisys and Verizon Business.

Midyear Conference Virtual Resource Center NOW OPEN!

Check out NASCIO's NEW Midyear Conference Virtual Resource Center and enter for a chance to win an iPod™ nano! The Resource Center includes a variety of educational materials from the 2009 Midyear Conference sponsors. Search and download whitepapers, research briefs and other educational resources on an array of topics by visiting the Resource Center. NASCIO will give away an iPod™ nano (8GB) to one lucky visitor to the Virtual Resource Center. Each person who accesses a whitepaper between February 2 and April 27 will have the opportunity to submit their name for the drawing. This opportunity is open to members and non-members alike and you need not be present to win. The winner will be announced at the Midyear Conference on April 30, 2009.

It's not too late to secure your SPONSORSHIP for the 2009 NASCIO Midyear Conference. Visit the following link for more information about the Midyear Conference and sponsorship opportunities: www.nascio.org/events/2009midyear. The deadline for sponsorship reservations is April 3, 2009.

NASCIO Assists FEMA-funded IPER Project

NASCIO's Executive Director Doug Robinson and staff are assisting the FEMA-funded Intergovernmental Preparedness for Essential Records (IPER) Project, which is developing curricula that facilitates incorporation of essential records in disaster recovery/continuity-of-operations planning at state and local levels. Doug Robinson serves as a member of the advisory board for the project, and NASCIO was recently asked to identify state-level IT subject matter experts to review and comment on current course design documents that focus on webinars for essential records identification and records emergency planning and response.

NASCIO Launches Watch on Washington

NASCIO State Members - Stay current on developments in DC with NASCIO's Watch on Washington Government Affairs Newsletter. Click here to read recent issues and to sign up for weekly updates.

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