The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has named Indiana State Senate Majority Floor Leader Brandt Hershman (R-Buck Creek) asa co-chair of the Smart Cities Foundation Partnership.
NCSL is a bipartisan national organization whose mission is to improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures, promote policy innovation and communication, and ensure state legislatures have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system.
The Smart Cities Foundation Partnership brings together state lawmakers and industry stakeholders to explore programs and policies for creating smart communities as well as the state role in supporting the transition. The partnership will share its findings with policymakers across the nation and provide resources for those who wish to craft policies that promote smart cities.
Smart cities use advances in energy, information technology, communications and transportation to improve efficiency and provide better services to citizens by using data collected from a variety of sources to better manage traffic and transportation systems, power plants, water supply networks, waste management, law enforcement and other services.
“Technology is rapidly changing the way we live, and states and localities need to be ready to make adjustments that allow technology to thrive in our cities,” Hershman said. “I am honored to be a part of this bipartisan partnership between government and the private sector to leverage the positive impact technology can have on our communities, state and nation.”
Chairing with Hershman are Rep. Tom Sloan of Kansas and Rep. Jeff Bridges of Colorado.