2Day in #OpenGov 6/18/2012

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Campaign Finance

  • Connecticut campaign finance bill vetoed: Connecticut Governor Daniel Malloy vetoed a bill that would have strengthened campaign finance laws in the state through increased donor disclosure and board approval of corporate donations of over $4,000. (Lobby Comply Blog)
  • Text-message donations and the presidential election: Many think that the candidate that properly utilizes donations by text message, which were recently legalized by the FCC, will have an edge in the presidential election. (National Journal)

Disclosure

  • New York disclosure laws run into surprising opponents: During hearings in the development process of a New York lobbying disclosure law, good-government groups (such as Citizens’ Union) questioned the push for more disclosure, saying that the line between a person’s right to know and a person’s right to privacy is thin. This served as a reminder that, despite their mission, these groups are too funded by donors and would be subject to these laws. (Albany Times Union)
  • FTC raises monetary thresholds for exemptions: The Federal Trade Commission raised the monetary thresholds for certain exemptions to its franchise rule, as it does every four years. This rule lists, among other things, a number of requirements and exemptions from disclosure. (Federal Register)

Open Data

  • Health and Human Services department leaders in data release: A health data initiative forum held by the Department of Health and Human Services highlighted the many ways that the department is ahead of other federal departments in the release of data–and the sheer number of useful tools that have come out of this. The recent appointment of former HHS CTO Todd Park to the national-level position bodes well for this sort of policy in the rest of the government. (O’Reilly Radar)
  • Crowdsourcing: an important federal resource: A large overview of the use of crowdsourcing in the federal government has explored its merit as a means for enacting policy in a faster, more efficient way as well as its potential for more frequent use in the future. (Government Technology)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

  • H.R.5807: FEMA Regional Office Oversight Act. Referred to Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications.
  • S.3286: Comprehensive Contingency Contracting Reform Act of 2012. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • S.3295: An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes. Placed on the Senate legislative calendar under general orders.
  • S.3301: An original bill making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes. Placed on the Senate legislative calendar under general orders.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK 6/18 – 6/22:

Hearings:

Events:

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

  • None.

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