2Day in #OpenGov 12/11/12
NEWS ROUNDUP:
Government
- Reporters barred from fiscal cliff call: A conference call between Vice President Joe Biden and local government officials this week is to explicitly exclude the media, according to an invitation obtained by Watchdog.org. The call is supposed to be a discussion of the so-called “fiscal cliff” and the Democrats’ plans to deal with it. (Watchdog.org)
- Another private fiscal cliff meeting: Senior White House officials are continuing to hold private meetings with CEOs and interest groups regarding the fiscal cliff. The president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, accompanied by one of the group’s lobbyists, is having one such meeting this week. (Roll Call)
- The filibuster goes to court: A federal court has started hearing arguments about the Constitutionality of the filibuster. Four House Democrats and the group Common Cause brought the lawsuit. (Washington Post)
- More spent on legacy IT than new systems: Federal agencies spend some 70 percent of their IT budgets on old systems and 30 percent on new systems, according to a Government Accountability Office report. That means $25 billion was spent on new technology compared to $54 billion on old systems. (FCW)
Lobbying and influence
- Lobbying reform bills on the horizon: A Republican and a Democrat could introduce separate bills aimed at reforming lobbying by limiting certain types of the practice or requiring more disclosure. (POLITICO)
- Think tanks walk partisan line: Historically academically-focused think tanks appear to be increasingly taking on party affiliations, though they are prevented from engaging directly in election activities. (Roll Call)
International
- US attempts to steer telecomms talk: Delegates from the United States to a United Nations discussion of telecommunications rules are working to stop regulations changes that could impact the Internet. (The Hill)
RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
- None
HAPPENING TODAY 12/11:
- 2012 International Anti-Corruption Day: Fostering Transparency, Accountability and Integrity. Inter-American Development Bank. Tues. Dec. 11, 9:30 a.m. 1300 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC.
- Human Rights and the Transatlantic Partnership: Supporting Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Association, and Political Participation. Delegation of the European Union to the United States. Tues. Dec. 11, 12:15 – 2:15 p.m. Press room, 2175 K St. NW, Washington, DC.
- Elections, Reconciliation, and the Final Two Years of Afghanistan’s Transition: Perspectives from the International Community. U.S. Institute of Peace. Tues. Dec. 11, 1 – 4:30 p.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
- None
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