2Day in #OpenGov 9/7/2012

by

NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • A big data education: A new report from the Brookings Institution that argues big data will have a major impact in the future of education policy by making it easier to evaluate performance and provide feedback to educators. (Nextgov)
  • When Congress is away lobbyists still lobby: Despite the Congressional recess and national political conventions, several major business groups are still lobbying for quick passage of a new trade bill dealing with Russia. The Business Roundtable, Chamber of Commerce, and five other groups sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging them to do just that as soon as they return from recess. (Roll Call)
International
  • Can’t stop, won’t stop bribing foreign officials: According to a new report from Transparency International only the U.S. and Western European countries actively enforce laws that ban bribes to foreign officials. That being said, enforcement of such laws has gone up over the past several years. (Wall Street Journal)
  • Opinion: OGP at a crossroad. The Open Government Partnership has entered its second full year. It faces significant challenges moving forward, including a lack of stable staffing, “an emerging leadership vacuum”, and an unresolved independent monitoring scheme. (Global Integrity)
State and Local
  • Washington web 2.0: Washington State is testing a new web portal that aims to upgrade the user experience by making necessary information easier to find and better integrating social media tools. (Government Technology)
  • Personal email for state business in New Mexico? A lawyer in Albuquerque is claiming that he has a recording of one of New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez’s (R) top aides disavowing the use of state email. The aide, purported to be the Governor’s chief of staff, reportedly claims that he doesn’t use state email to conduct business because “I don’t want to go to court (or) Jail.” (National Freedom of Information Coalition)
  • Detroit corruption trial: Jury selection began in the trial of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who is facing federal corruption charges that could send him to jail for up to 30 years. (Yahoo/Reuters)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

  • None

HAPPENING THIS WEEK 9/7:

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

  • None.

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