2Day in #OpenGov 4/16/2012
NEWS ROUNDUP
Campaign Finance
- Mitt’s got a secret? The Obama campaign and its affiliated super PACs are preparing to target Mitt Romney over his “penchant for secrecy”, specifically related to his tax returns and campaign bundlers. (Politico)
- The Myth, the legend, the super PAC: Trevor Potter, formerly the FEC chair and currently Stephen Colbert’s lawyer, explained some common misconceptions about super PACs. (Washington Post)
Government
- Improper payments portal: The White House launched an online portal as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce improper payments. The portal pulls from multiple data sources to identify payments that should not be issued. (Executive Government)
- Don’t call me a lobbyist: Influence peddlers have figured out how to get around the White House’s promises to limit the power of lobbyists in the Obama administration. Companies are working with nonprofits to set up “dialogues” with administration officials. (Politico)
- Chemical disclosure: Many stakeholders agree that chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations should be disclosed. The nonprofit website, affiliated with state governments, FracFocus aims to provide that service. (Politico)
Technology
- Going pro in big data: The start-up Kaggle hosts competitions in an effort to cull better answers from the world’s growing supply of data. It’s founders believe that data scientists able to find innovative answers to the world’s pressing problems should be paid like professional athletes. (Yahoo/AP)
RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED
- None.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK 4/16-4/20
Hearings:
- GSA Management Deficiency Report/Budget Request. Senate Appropriations. Wed. 4/18. 2:30 pm. 138 DSOB. Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee hearing.
- Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board Nominations. Senate Judiciary. Wed. 4/18. 10:00 am. 226 DSOB. Full Committee Hearing.
- Federal Information Security Amendments. House Oversight and Government Reform. Wed. 4/18. 10:00 am. 2154 RHOB. Full Committee Markup.
- Library of Congress Leadership Transition. House Administration. Wed. 4/18. 10:00 am. 1310 LHOB. Oversight Subcommittee Hearing.
Events:
- Online Advocacy: Leveraging new media methods in your advocacy efforts. ALL. Mon. 4/16. 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. 2121 Eisenhower Ave, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.
- Social Networking, the End of Media and the Future of Privacy. Broadband Breakfast. Tues. 4/17. 8:00-10:00 am. Clyde’s of Gallery Place, 707 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.
- A Roundtable Discussion on Transparency vs. Corruption: The Internet as Disinfectant. GMU Public Policy. Tues. 4/17. 9:00-10:30 am. 3301 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201.
- Shadow Elite: How the World’s New Power Brokers Undermine Democracy, Government, and the Free Market.GMU Public Policy. Wed. 4/18. 12:00-1:00 pm. 3301 Fairfax Drive, ARlington, VA 22201.
- Congressional Forum on Campaign Finance. House Administration Democrats. Wed. 4/18. 1:30-3:30 pm. 1310 Longworth House Office Building.
- Securing the Benefits of Trade & Investment Through Transparency & Anti-Corruption. AU WCL. Thur. 4/19. 5:00-6:00 pm. 4801 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Room 603, Washington, DC 20016.
- Media Transparency: Political Ads and the Future of Public Interest Obligations. New America Foundation. Fri. 4/20. 12:15 – 1:45 pm. 1899 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036.
- OH/DC: Open Source Hardware Comes to the Nation’s Capital. Public Knowledge. Fri. 4/20. 1:00-5:00 pm. 2168 Rayburn House Office Building.
Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.
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