NEWS ROUNDUP:

• A new report from the Georgia Public Interest Research Group Education Fund analyzed spending transparency in thirty of America’s largest cities. Chicago and New York came out on top, while Cleveland scored the worst. (Common Cause)
• The White House is working on an update to its online petition platform “We the People.” The new version will be based on an API that will be released publicly, allowing anyone to access data on petitions, signatures, and responses. (fedscoop)
• The top Republican and Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs sent letters to President Obama and newly minted Secretary of State John Kerry urging them to nominate an Inspector General for the State Department. The agency has been without a permanent IG for more than five years. (Washington Times)
• A wide range of groups are lobbying on the immigration reform talks currently bubbling on the Hill. The technology, agriculture, and hospitality industries, as well as gay and lesbian groups are working to see their wishes fulfilled in any legislation that might emerge. (The Hill)
• Despite disappointing results for their favored candidates in the 2012 election, the American Petroleum Institute isn’t hesitating to continue aggressively pushing their agenda. The well funded trade group is targeting multiple Democratic Senators up for reelection in 2014 and is aiming to build public support for its positions from the ground up. (Roll Call)
• Opinion: A proposed SEC rule requiring corporations to disclose their use of corporate funds for political purposes enjoys widespread support and would “help…distinguish between companies that compete and win through superior products…and those…that merely appear to do so due to superior access to lawmakers.” (Politico)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

• H.R. 367. Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013.
• H.R. 337. Redistricting Transparency Act of 2013.
• S. 99. Natural Disaster Fairness in Contracting Act of 2013.

HAPPENING TOMORROW 2/7: 

• None. 

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