NEWS ROUNDUP

Open Data

• HuffPo poll data now available to developers: The Huffington Post has started to give API access to its poll database, which provides statistics for more than 13,000 polls, in order to provide journalists access to data that the site feels is largely unavailable in a useful way. (techPresident)
• Data.gov used as crowdsourcing tool: In a recent presentation, an employee of the U.S. Agency for International Development cited civilian use of data.gov as a burgeoning resource for government agencies. (Fierce Government)

Freedom of Information Act

• FOIA’s 46th birthday and how it can be helped: Tomorrow marks the 46th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act’s implementation, and the author, in addition to praising its numerous uses over the past year, offers suggestions on how to strengthen it. (Open the Government)
• DOJ says planned FOIA portal won’t replace current site: A website meant to streamline FOIA requests and provide greater information about these requests will complement the Department of Justice’s current site, not replace it. (Fierce Government)

Disclosure

• Corrupt officials subject of new Indonesian website: In Indonesia, a notoriously corrupt country without easy access to information about this problem, a new website publicizes those convicted for corruption as well as the circumstances of their crimes. (Wall Street Journal)
• Access to truancy data denied in West Virginia: Citing inaccuracies in counting methods, the education department of West Virginia declined a request to give its attendance data to the state legislature. This data is particularly useful for those looking to infer about dropout behavior. (Charleston Gazette)
• User information requests by U.S. usually granted by Twitter: 75 percent of requests by the United States to reveal user information on Twitter were granted by the website. Like as was the case with Google, the U.S. led all countries in these requests. (The Hill)
• Scientists new STOCK Act opponents: The Association of Scientists has argued that the increased disclosure requirements of the STOCK Act will harm their privacy and send federal scientists to the private sector. (National Journal)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED

• H.R.1588: The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act. “Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prescribe consumer protection guidelines for rental-purchase transactions, including: (1) the determination of rental-purchase cost; (2) disclosure requirements.” Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 405.
• S.3340: Mental Health ACCESS Act of 2012. “Sec. 201: Transparency in Mental Health Care Services.” Hearings held in Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

HAPPENING TODAY 7/3

• None.

SCHEDULED TOMORROW

• None.

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