Today in #OpenGov 12/13/2013

by

 Keep reading for today’s roundup of #OpenGov news featuring a corruption free for all in Romania, Jay Carney claiming the internet means journalists don’t need access to the President, and the Open Data Institute everywhere.

series-opengov-today

National News

  • White House Press Secretary Jay Carney tried to blame the Obama Administration’s limitations on press access on the internet. The press was, not surprisingly, skeptical. (National Journal)
  • John Podesta, newly installed as a top White House adviser, hasn’t registered as a lobbyist since 2006, but he is widely known as one of the most influential people in Washington. (Washington Times)

International News

  • The Open Data Institute is on a signing spree. Following their recent agreement with the BBC, the ODI has locked down a deal with Taiwan’s Open Data Alliance to promote and explore its potential. (Future Gov)
  • The Romanian parliament didn’t bother to debate before they voted for an amendment that essentially decriminalized corruption for a wide swath of public officials, themselves included.  (EU Observer)

State and Local News

  • Georgia Governor Nathan Deal is facing a grand jury investigation into his 2010 campaign. The grand jury will look at documents related to an ethics investigation that already cleared Deal of major wrongdoing, although his campaign was forced to pay a few thousand dollars in fines. (Washington Post)
  • Democratic interests have their eye on Secretary of State races around the country in 2014. A new PAC aims to get Democrats elected to the position, which often has power over election laws. (Washington Post)

 

Do you want to track transparency news? You can view our feed on our Netvibes page and follow the progress of relevant bills on our Scout page. You can also get 2Day in #OpenGov sent directly to your preferred news reader!