2Day in #OpenGov 11/26/12

by

NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Jackson resigns amid federal probe: U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) resigned from Congress citing health issues and an ongoing federal probe into alleged misuse of campaign funds. (Roll Call)
  • NSA denies FOIA request: The National Security Administration (NSA) denied a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by watchdog group EPIC. The group had asked NSA to share a Presidential Directive that sets standards related to how the federal government handles cybersecurity. (Government Security News)
  • Air Force, National Guard FOIA policy may violate law: The Air Force and National Guard may have violated federal law by setting a policy requiring information be released in PDF or image-based file format, which limits the accessibility of the documents. That may go against federal law requiring documents be released in the manner requested by the person or group filing a FOIA request. (Army Times)
  • Group questions EPA use of email alias: The group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) wants the EPA’s inspector general to look into why the federal agency’s administrators have used one email account for public correspondence and another for internal communication. Private email accounts may have been used to avoid transparency requirements, CREW suggested. (Bloomberg)
Lobbying
  • From the White House to K Street? Recruiters on K Street are keeping an eye out for several of President Barack Obama’s aides that may be leaving the public sector. Obama put a ban on former officials lobbying the administration while he is in office, but lobbying firms have suggested there are ways to work around that. (The Hill)
State
  • New York requires disclosure of more donors: New York State will require the disclosure of the names of donors who give political advocacy groups and other groups more than $50,000. The regulation was tentatively approved by the New York State ethics commission. (New York Times)
International
  • Open Knowledge Foundation starts chapter in France:  The Open Knowledge Foundation is starting a national chapter in France. There are already several active groups in the country promoting the concept of open data and other transparency principles. (Open Knowledge Foundation Blog) 

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

  • None

HAPPENING THIS WEEK 11/26-11/30: 

  • Who Should Govern the Internet? New America Foundation. Thurs. Nov. 29, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. New America Foundation, 1899 L St. NW, Suite 400, Washington DC, 20036.
  • Privacy and the Identity Economy. National Press Club. Thurs. Nov. 29, 9-11 a.m. National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor First Amendment Lounge, Washington DC, 20045.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
  • None.

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