Coming out of the pandemic, state and local government technology leaders are facing a once-in-a-career opportunity to modernize some of their jurisdictions’ most mission-critical systems and functions — but they must act quickly. Looming budget shortfalls and ongoing operational challenges are challenging CIOs to leverage unprecedented waves of federal funding in ways that will allow their governments to remain nimble and responsive to constituent needs in future crises. This issue brief examines challenges and opportunities in some of the most high-touch, highly visible areas of government operations and service delivery and offers recommendations to guide modernization efforts.