NEWS ROUNDUP

Transparency

• President nominates his choice for head of panel monitoring government spending: Richard Ginman, the procurement and acquisition policy direct for the Department of Defense, is President Obama’s choice to lead the Government Accountability and Transparency board, a panel aimed to further transparency in government spending. (Executive Gov)
• Survey finds least transparency in financial companies: Financial companies scored lowest on both transparency measures and corruption reporting in a recent survey. (Transparency International)
• In preventing corruptions, companies need to do more: The same survey revealed some distressing trends throughout all public companies regarding transparency; for example, 85 out of the 105 companies surveyed did not disclose their income tax reports from foreign countries in which they operated. (Wall Street Journal)

State/Local

• Outside employment complicates state legislators’ priorities: In state legislatures, which generally consist of members who have primary jobs elsewhere, reports of outside interests are important in ensuring political integrity. Unfortunately, many states’ asset disclosure policies leave a lot to be desired. (State Integrity Investigation)
• New CTO comes to Baltimore: After dismissing its former Chief Technology Officer for possible conflict of interest troubles at a former position, Baltimore has hired a new CTO, who previously served as the CIO for D.C.’s public libraries. (Government Technology)
• Corporate contribution ban goes on D.C. ballot: In the wake of a seemingly endless barrage of ethics violations by members of the city’s government, the District of Columbia–thanks to a petition that delivered more than 30,000 signatures–now has on its ballot a measure that would band direct corporate contributions to politicians and candidates for office. (Washington Post)
• Illinois governor lifts campaign contribution limits: A bill recently signed by Illinois governor Pat Quinn eliminates all contribution limits if a person or PAC independently spends a certain amount of money ($250,000 in a state-wide race, $100,000 for all others) in a race. (State Journal-Register)

Campaign Finance

• Wireless carriers hesitant about donating to campaigns by text: Although the FEC recently approved a measure allowing people to donate to campaigns with a text message, a group of wireless carriers (which include the four biggest carriers in the United States) are worried about issues relating to regulations and liability. (Chicago Tribune)
• Unions’ direct donations only small part of spending: Election spending by unions is much greater than previously thought, as numbers were formerly gleaned only from FEC data regarding unions’ direct donations to candidates. According to a more comprehensive report, however, direct donations only make up one fourth of their political spending. (Wall Street Journal)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED

• None.

HAPPENING TODAY 7/10

• Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission: House Energy and Commerce. Tues. 7/9. 10:15 a.m. 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. Communications and Technology subcommittee hearing.

• Addressing Cyber Instability: Tues. 7/10. 11:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. Atlantic Council of the United States. 1101 15th Street NW, 11th Floor, Washington, D.C.

• Federal Internet Policymaking: A Discussion with Daniel Weitzner: Tues. 7/10. 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. 1015 15th Street NW, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C.

REST OF THE WEEK

• …Reauthorization of the U.S. SAFE WEB Act of 2006: House Energy and Commerce. Thurs. 7/11. 10:00 p.m. 2322 Rayburn House Office Building. Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade subcommittee hearing.

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