County officials in Nevada told state legislators they don't want to share governmental authority with tech companies buying large plots of land in the state.

Satellite internet systems could be a cheaper solution to the digital divide, particularly in rural states, top technology officials said.

Nevada officials said state accounts were compromised dozens of times last year, and that additional authentication can help prevent future cases.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said the idea of communities governed by technology companies warrants further public examination before the legislature makes a decision.

States are still ironing out the policies, procedures and technologies that will allow their unemployment insurance platforms to scale for massive demand.

Alan Cunningham, who joined the state government last summer, said a federated environment and inflexible IT funding model is stunting its performance.

Gov. Steve Sisolak voiced support for legislation allowing emerging-tech companies to develop land where they could assume the power of county governments.

New software from IBM eliminated the need for Clark County, Nevada's 2.2 million residents to visit an office in person to drop off applications for housing assistance.

The pandemic is accelerating states' IT modernization efforts, but institutional challenges are also encouraging state IT leaders to upgrade incrementally.