NEWS ROUNDUP:

• The Center for Effective Government kicked off Sunshine Week with a report recommending steps that Federal agencies can take to become more open. Overall the report gives the Obama administration mixed reviews, with a great deal of criticism on national security issues. (Government Executive)
• Today in the continuing saga of Obama’s influence group Organizing for Action: Press Secretary Jay Carney compared the supposedly non-political non-partisan OFA to the political and partisan DCCC, DSCC, and DNC, President Obama is slated to speak at a Wednesday night dinner for large donors to OFA, and other politicians have tread this controversial line in the recent past, specifically NY Governor Andrew Cuomo. (Politico, Washington Post, Roll Call)
• Illinois is hoping to spread civic innovation outside of Chicago and into the suburbs and countryside. The Illinois Technology Challenge promises $75,000 in prizes for projects that use state or city data in applications targeted outside of the Windy City. (Tech President)
• Mitch McConnell hopped on the #standwithrand fundraising train with an email comparing the two Senators, noting that they will both be likely targets of Democratic attacks, and urging donations to his reelection campaign. (Washington Post)
• Former Senator Scott Brown joined a number of former elected officials at Nixon Peabody LLP. He will serve as a counsel in its Boston office, focusing on government and business affairs. (Politico)
• Toyota’s North American arm has formed a PAC, which can raise money from eligible employees. The automaker already spends more than $3 million annually on lobbying. (Public Integrity)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

• None.

HAPPENING TODAY 3/12:

• Sunshine Week! Events are taking place across the country all week long. 
• FOIA: Today’s Challenges and Tomorrow’s Opportunities. Congressional Transparency Caucus. 3:00 pm. 2203 Rayburn.

HAPPENING TOMORROW 3/13:

• Addressing transparency in the Federal bureaucracy: Moving toward a more open government. House Committee on Oversight and Government Affairs. 10:00 am. 2154 Rayburn.
• OLC Memoranda: Does U.S. secret law threaten our democracy? CREW. 10:30 am – 12:30 pm. George Washington Law, Jacob Burns Moot Court Room, 2000 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20052.
• DC Open Government Summit Panel. DC Open Government Coalition. 6:00 – 8:00 pm. 529 14th Street NW, 13th Floor, National Press Club, Holeman Lounge, Washington, DC 20045.

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