It includes council and forum news, an events calendar, highlights of PTI projects and publications, and more. Inside PTI is included with your PTI membership.

Discover the benefits of PTI membership, listed below.

Or go directly to How to Join.

Web and public-safety staffs of local governments will want to familiarize themselves with this FCC decision.

FCC News Release Announcing CMAS

Text of FCC Report and Order Establishing CMAS

Statement on CMAS by FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps

Public Technology Institute introduces PublicTechJobs.com, a website that connects local government agencies with job seekers searching for technology related positions.

During May 2008, PTI member jurisdictions can post job openings at no charge. The posts will run for 60 days. After May, members receive a discount rate.

Members should contact the webmaster to receive a coupon code for the free posting.

The site emphasizes jobs in information technology and E-government, environment and sustainability, public safety/homeland security, transportation management and geospatial information services.

City and county governments can use PublicTechJobs.com to post career opportunities and view resumes. PTI members receive a discount rate when posting opportunities.

Public Technology Institute thanks the members who participated in the 2007-2008 Solutions Awards.

This annual competition rewards those local governments that can demonstrate how they apply technology to improve service delivery, reduce operating costs and create new revenue opportunities.

Entries are grouped by technology category and population size. Winning entries, and those recognized for Significant Achievement and Honorable Mention are listed at the link below.

1105 Government Information Group

1105 Government Information Group is the leading provider of integrated information and media for the government information technology market. Our in-depth platform of print, online, event, custom media and research products not only provides a comprehensive, 360° view of the government IT market - it also offers 360° access to the government and channel decision-makers driving that market.

ACS Government Solutions

ACS specializes in information technology and business process outsourcing solutions for state and local human services agencies. Our child support service offerings include payment processing, disbursement solutions, financial institution data matching and document imaging among others. Our electronic payment services include payment programs for food stamps, TANF, unemployment insurance and WIC. In child care arena, we offer an electronic card-based system that combats fraud while streamlining documentation and payments to providers.

This white paper [PDF] from Davenport Group explores the options.

Reduced Open License for Government pricing for local government customers
The new Open License for Government price reduction enables you to simplify Microsoft product license acquisition and stretch your budget even further. Learn how.

Upgrade your desktops and get more for less
Through June 27th, 2008, you can upgrade to Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 for the same price as Office Professional Plus 2007 when you purchase through the U.S. Microsoft Open License for Government program.

Get Windows Vista SP1 for less
From now until June 27, 2008, your government organization can save 15% on Windows Vista by purchasing Windows Vista Business SP1 Upgrade licenses with Microsoft Software Assurance (SA) through a Select License agreement.

Take a few moments to find out if your organization could benefit from the latest in Storage Area Network technology. To use the free IT Assessment, visit this link.

The consortium has created a national certification and professional development program for public service oriented chief information officers and for those interested in becoming a public service CIO. The program is designed with a core curriculum applicable for senior public sector IT leadership across the nation.

When a member joins based on your referral, you will receive PTI reward points based on a percentage of the new member’s fee. You can redeem these points to save money on PTI membership, events, products and services.

The PTI-Cadmus Group Environmental Alliance: 25 Years of Environmental Experience, and Unparalleled Technological Expertise

PTI is dedicated to helping you address your technology needs. Now, we are expanding our services to help you tackle environmental challenges. Through an exclusive strategic alliance, PTI offers you the services of the Cadmus Group.

2006-2007 Technology Solutions: GIS
2006-2007 Public Safety & Emergency Management Solutions
2006-2007 Technology Solutions: Sustainability
2006-2007 Technology Solutions: Telecommunications & IT
2006-2007 Technology Solutions: Web & E-Government Services

The Solutions series discloses exactly how other local governments developed creative and money-saving solutions with technology. Take advantage of the knowledge and experience of PTI’s network of innovators with these exclusive reports!

Read more to see a summary of this event and to download the presentations.

PTI members may download new publications free for 30 days after the publication is released.

The book will describe the professional skill sets that CIOs need to be successful, and will include tried-and-true management practices that technology executives can learn from and tailor to their specific needs.

“The development of this book is so timely,” said PTI executive director Alan Shark. “In the tough economic climate we are facing today, with local governments having to maintain or even increase services while coping with budget shortfalls and often reductions in the workforce, the challenges that CIOs face are critical.

Among his many assignments, Mr. Weitekamp commanded the Blue Grass Chemical Activity in Richmond, KY and led R&D for the Department of Energy in chemical and biological defense. While assigned to DOE, he fielded the Biological Aerosol Sentry and Information System (BASIS) in support of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

After retirement from the U.S. Army, Mr. Weitekamp joined Analytic Services Inc. where he continued to support homeland security efforts. Mr. Weitekamp is also the deputy director for academics at the Applied Systems Thinking Institute where he also is conducting research in identifying leading indicators of development program success or failure.

Mark Weitekamp is a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and has a M.S. from the Naval Postgraduate School.

With more than 24 chapters from 28 author/contributors from ten countries from Europe, Asia, and the U.S., this exciting new book captures the latest in theory and practice in how governments can use the latest technology to reach out to citizens, and the many methods and benefits of doing so.

The book captures the leading-edge thinking as we move towards greater social networking through the use of web-based services. Local governments are embracing these opportunities that will transform how we interact with citizens and our communities for years to come.

Coming Soon!

Those closely following what has been called the “Muni-Wireless movement” have reached a near state of hysteria with the recent announcement that Earthlink was initiating a strategic pullback from the dozen or so communities that they had invested in, and had been committed to build out city-wide wireless networks.

On December 6-7, 2007, local government officials and industry experts interested in the use of Customer Relationship Management/311 solutions to improve service delivery came together in Dallas, TX, for the PTI seminar CRM Beyond the Hype.

The seminar examined the many policy, management, technical and governance aspects of successful CRM implementations, and included case study presentations by four PTI member local governments.

PTI is a national, non-profit technology research and development organization created by and for cities and counties. Through its Corporate Partner program, PTI works with technology companies to identify solutions and practices to help local governments address their technology needs and priorities.

“We are excited about Davenport Group joining the PTI network,” said Alan Shark, Executive Director of PTI. “In particular, we look forward to working with Davenport Group to help educate local government technology leaders on the business practices and technology solutions that will help them address IT disaster recovery and continuity of operations planning – concerns that keep many officials awake at night.”

Southeast Rebuild Collaborative: Clean Energy Opportunities for Local Governments
Keith Dennis, The Cadmus Group, SRC Project Manager
Leslie Cook, The Cadmus Group, SRC Local Government Lead

This presentation covers tools and resources available through the SRC and network opportunities with representatives from other local governments and sustainability programs. It explains how to measure and track energy use and carbon dioxide emission reductions in wastewater treatment plants by using Portfolio Manager.