2Day in #OpenGov 1/7/2012

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

  • Bringing back Congressional earmarks may help ease some of the gridlock and disfunction in Washington, according to this NPR piece on the history and current state of the practice. (NPR)
  • The National Music Publisher’s Association is losing its vice president of government affairs, Allison Halataei, to the Revolving door. Halatei will be joining the House Judiciary Committee as its general counsel and parliamentarian. (The Hill)
  • With several high profile gubenatorial contests scheduled for 2013 outside money is expected to continue to flood American elections. Some of the major outside groups are considering turning their checkbooks to these state races and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has already seen millions of dollars of outside support. (Politico)
  • Meanwhile, state officials from around the country are fighting dark money groups with court battles and new legislation to force political spending disclosure. (Roll Call)
  • The FEC fined President Obama’s 2008 campaign $375,000 for reporting violations following an audit. The fine is one of the largest ever levied against a presidential campaign. (Politico)
  • Rep. Chris Van Hollen reintroduced the DISCLOSE Act in the House last week. The bill, identical to the one that failed to pass in the 112th Congress, has yet to be reintroduced in the Senate. (Roll Call)
RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
  • H.Res.5 Adopting rules for the 113th Congress. 
  • H.R. 148 The DISCLOSE ACT. To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, and other entities.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK 1/7-1/11: 

  • None

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