Modernization

WASHINGTON — What consumes those inside the beltway and in mainstream media doesn’t always reflect the realities of mainstream Americans or the communities in which they live. That was the consistent theme that emerged from last week’s “Building Resilient Communities”... Read More

WASHINGTON — Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., admits he initially found the notion slightly intimidating. Day after day as he arrived for work in the economic development office in Tacoma-Pierce County, Washington, he was greeted by a sign that said, “We... Read More

WASHINGTON — Hard as it may be to believe, a revolution really did take place while we were all inside, hoping the dark, early shadow of COVID-19 would somehow pass us by.  According to Liz Wilke, principal economist with Gusto,... Read More

WASHINGTON — Connie E. Evans, president and CEO of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, smiled broadly Thursday as she surveyed the early morning crowd gathered to hear her and other speakers at Charlie Palmer Steak. “It’s seldom, at least in... Read More

Our #CollaborativeEconomies discussion featured case studies that explore the vital relationship between employers and their communities. As the 118th Congress prepares to address a host of economic issues, this discussion touched on important questions facing decision makers including how legislators,... Watch Video

WASHINGTON — There likely haven’t been many select committees in the history of Congress who on their last day made the mind wander back to “Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu,” the epic 1960 account of Ted Williams’ final game at... Read More

The Department of Labor's proposed rule to remove gig workers' status as independent contractors threatens to cause millions in lost income.  Despite the Biden administration's inflation reduction efforts, over half of U.S. adults are now considering a second job to... Read More

WASHINGTON — House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., on Thursday urged House and Senate conferees currently working on a bipartisan innovation bill to complete their work soon so that the House can vote on it before the August recess. Originally... Read More

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is continuing to roll out the electronic health record modernization program, despite concerns from some members of Congress and reports which show unresolved patient safety issues.  “Implementing a new electronic health record... Read More

Social entrepreneurship uses technology to bridge the gap between “cash-strapped” municipalities and local governments, said Gabriella Wong, CEO and founder of AccesSOS, Tuesday.  Wong’s comment came during the Camelback Venture’s Guardian Summit panel discussion where she was joined by two... Read More

WASHINGTON -- District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton were among the dignitaries who joined descendants of civil rights icon Frederick Douglass for the opening of the new bridge named in... Read More

Seven diversity organizations have joined the call for Congress to revive a tax certificate program intended to encourage minority and women ownership of broadcast stations. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., and Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., introduced the bill to reestablish the... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Protecting the Right to Organize Act is a landmark labor rights bill that could transform the way the United States classifies workers. The PRO Act is intended to modernize the National Labor Relations Act but is controversial,... Read More

Efforts to modernize the federal government's use of technology have long enjoyed "enthusiastic bipartisan support" that is likely to continue during Joe Biden's presidency, said Matt Lira, who was special assistant to the president on innovation policy during the Trump... Read More

In her 1980 hit “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton laments that the traditional workplace is “enough to drive you crazy if you let it.” Four decades later, people seem to be taking this to heart, as one-in-five workers today are... Read More

WASHINGTON — Labor law is constantly evolving. Early 2020 alone saw changes to federal overtime rules, 21 states increasing their minimum wage provisions, and the Department of Labor finally allowing H-2B job opportunities to be posted to its website. And... Read More

WASHINGTON - Business leaders, during a congressional hearing Thursday, advocated for greater access to financial services for minority and women-owned businesses. They said government bailout money and low-interest loans for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic are going first to established... Read More

WASHINGTON - The House on Thursday voted to extend the mandate of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress through the end of the 116th Congress. The rule that created the Select Committee originally had it set to expire... Read More