“What we’re seeing right now is really unusual: Efficiency is having a moment at the state level nationally,” said Melissa Maynard, a project director at The Pew Charitable Trusts, at the Government Efficiency Summit, according to Route Fifty on July 20. Since 2025 at least 26 states launched efficiency initiatives to cut unnecessary spending, improve service delivery and modernize government operations. Maynard also pointed to the 39 gubernatorial elections this year, including 21 open seats; she said these new governors will face pressure to continue these initiatives. The summary points to several states working on efficiency efforts; these state examples include:
Maryland
Governor Moore Launches Government Modernization Initiative to Save Taxpayers Money
Massachusetts
State agencies sign big lease downtown at One Federal – Boston Business Journal
Utah
Gov. Cox launches GRIT initiative to increase efficiency and improve government services
A July 8 press release outlined new funding for cybersecurity upgrades and data modernization in North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, the approved budget allocates $18 million in new recurring funding, as well as $42 million in non-recurring funding for critical cybersecurity updates. “This budget recognizes that cybersecurity is foundational to safe, reliable government operations,” said Nate Denny, N.C. Department of Information Technology Secretary and State Chief Information Officer. “This is not a one-time expense; protecting North Carolina’s data and systems requires an ongoing commitment.” NCDIT emphasized the importance of these investments to support secure and reliable digital government services.
GovRAMP reported on July 15 that updated FedRAMP Class A Certification Rules recognize GovRAMP as an approved alternative security framework; the change helps reinforce efforts to align state and federal cybersecurity requirements. “The recognition of GovRAMP within the updated FedRAMP Class A Certification Rules reflects the growing momentum toward a more connected public-sector cybersecurity ecosystem,” explains Leah McGrath, executive director of GovRAMP. For the GovRAMP community, according to GovRAMP, the change offers more clarity on how current security investments support those organizations pursuing federal authorization and reinforces a larger effort to reduce duplication and increase consistency for cybersecurity frameworks.
Renee Moseley joined GL Solutions in 2016 with an educational and professional background in research and writing, along with software documentation. At GL Solutions she produces informative content to help regulatory agencies stay current on news and information that supports their success.