2Day in #OpenGov 5/31/2012

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NEWS ROUNDUP

Campaign Finance

  • Supreme inconsistencies: Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who retired two years ago, attacked the current court of being inconsistent, even incoherent, in their post Citizens United rulings. Stevens wrote the dissent in Citizens United. (New York Times)
  • More money, more problems? Some of the biggest super PAC donors are upset over the attention that their largess has brought them. Simply wanting to “do their part for democracy”, these men, who have helped keep more than one presidential hopeful in the running, don’t understand the scrutiny being placed on them by the media. (Politico)
  • Behind closed doors: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has figured out how to avoid disclosing their donors in the wake of a recent court ruling. They’re going to be more direct. By advertising specifically for or against specific candidates they think they can circumvent the ruling, which would have required disclosure of the financing behind “issue ads.” (Washington Post)

International

  • Whistleblower world tour: Around the world corruption, mistrust, and a lack of adequate legal protections keep potential whistleblowers from speaking out. A recent workshop addressed these issues and discussed potential solutions. (Transparency International)
  • Secret City: A major construction project designed to bring gambling, entertainment, and events to Spain has numerous civil society groups up in arms. They claim that the Spanish government has violated numerous laws related to access to information and public participation. (Access-Info)
  • Ontario looks at its lobbyists: Ontario Integrity Commissioner Lynn Morrison is proposing chances to the province’s lobbyist registration laws, including eliminating a 20% rule and instituting new reporting requirements. (Lobby Comply)
State and Local
  • A future for Open Data: A special report, based on the activities of the Digital Communities program, sets out to examine the future of open data initiatives around the country. (Government Technology)
  • On Twitter, everyone can watch you fight with reporters: Twitter is changing the way state and local leaders are interacting with the reporters that cover them. It is becoming common for Governors and their staffs to engage and challenge local reporters, in full view of the public eye, using the service. (Stateline)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED

  • S.3229. A bill to develop a model disclosure form to assist consumers in purchasing long term care insurance. Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • S.3228. The Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012. A bill to require the President to provide a report detailing the sequester required by the Budget Control Act of 2011 on January 2, 2013.
  • H.R. 5853. To prohibit wholesalers from purchasing prescription drugs from pharmacies, and to enhance information and transparency regarding drug wholesalers engaged in interstate commerce. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

HAPPENING TODAY5/31

SCHEDULED TOMORROW 6/1
  • None.
Job Opportunities: 
  • None.

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