Today in #OpenGov 11/8/2013

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National News

  • A new system that helps create, file, and track open records requests launched in October. iFOIA is a significant upgrade on its predecessor system, which helped users create letters in the correct structure. (Investigative Reporting Workshop)
  • Business interests were able to secure the GOP nomination for an open seat in Congress from Alabama for their preferred candidate. But, the close election gives hope to Tea Party groups as well as business interests hoping to exert their will in 2014. (Roll Call)

International News

  • Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission is an office, 700 strong, dedicated to seeking and destroying graft in the country. The office won an award recognizing their significant achievements over the past few years. (FCPA Blog)
  • Kenya is shifting to E-government. Officials are hopeful that adding efficiency to daily government services will reduce corruption. (Tech President)

State and Local News

  • Local candidates have taken up the mantle of transparency in recent years to secure victory, but some have had trouble keeping up those principles once in office.  (Next City)
  • Despite issuing large fines for some pretty amazing campaign finance violations, the Washington, DC Office of Campaign Finance has little ability to force candidates to pay up once they’ve shut down their campaign committees. Many of the other oversight agencies in DC aren’t in much better shape. (Washington City Paper)

 

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