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2Day in #OpenGov 10/18/2012

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • SEC records mismanagement? A new report from the SECs Inspector General reveals that the agencies records management practices are in disorder. The agency disputed the finding, claiming that they had made improvements, including the appointment of their first archivist in 2007, that were not noted in the report. (Federal Computer Week)
  • GPO and Treasury team up: The US Government Printing Office is teaming up with the Treasury department for a pilot program that would put historic information from the Treasury Library on the GPO's online document depository FDsys. (FDLP)
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2Day in #OpenGov 10/16/2012

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Tangherlini talks innovation: Dan Tangherlini, acting administrator of the GSA, outlined some avenues towards innovationthat his agency is pursuing. Speaking at a seminar at George Washington University, he highlighted telecommuting, mobile devices, social media use, and crowdsourcing. (Executive Government)
  • Romney to lobbyists- You're hired? Lobbyists are hopeful that if Mitt Romney wins the presidency his administration will be more open to hiring them than President Obama, who signed an executive order keeping many lobbyists from moving to jobs in the White House. (Politico)
  • Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: Several staff changes on K Street came to light today. Notably, a former chief of staff to Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) headed through the revloving door. Chelsey Pendrod Hickman is joining the Grossman Group as a lobbyist. (National Journal)

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2Day in #OpenGov 10/15/12

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Sequestration lobbying abounds: With sequestration, or automatic spending cuts, looming in the federal government, lobbying groups are increasing efforts to protect their special interests. They are also calling for revenue-raising measures.  (Government Executive)
  • SEC receives poor marks on recordkeeping: The federal agency monitoring Wall Street records failed to properly handle its own records, according to a recent audit. The report showed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) employees are not always clear about what records to keep and what to destroy, among other problems. (POGO)
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2Day in #OpenGov 10/12/12

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Directive aims to protect whistleblowers: A new Presidential Policy Directive aims to protect government employees in the intelligence community who disclose fraud, abuse or waste. Without a law from Congress, however, there is still no enforcement of free speech for whistleblowers.  (Washington Post)
  • Groups battle for Manning trial access: The highest military court is hearing a case from groups asking for more access to the trial of Pfc. Bradley Manning, the alleged leaker of information to WikiLeaks. The groups are asking for court orders and other records in the case to be made public. (Politico)
Campaign finance
  • Both candidates raise funds abroad: What do Ireland, South Korea and China have in common? President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney's campaigns are holding fundraising events in those countries, among others, in the month before the election.  (Washington Post)
  • Dueling claims of being outraised: Barack Obama and Mitt Romney's campaigns have claimed to be outraised by each other. Incidentally, these claims are being made while hitting up potential donors. (Washington Post)
  • Outside spending benefiting Romney: Some 70 percent of outside spending in this year's presidential campaign has benefited Mitt Romney, according to an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity. This spending was made possible by the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. (Public Integrity)
Lobbying
  • Branching out: Paul Bledsoe, a veteran staffer from the Clinton administration, is leaving the Bipartisan Policy Center to start his own public policy firm. Rosemarie Calabro Tully, a former press secretary for Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Democratic staff, has joined the Bipartisan Policy Center as its energy press secretary. (National Journal)
Technology
  • An app for presidential documents: A new free application for mobile devices will allow users access to presidential public communications. The documents available will include press releases, speeches, and executive orders, among others.  (Government Technology)
RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
  • None

HAPPENING TODAY 10/12: 

  • None.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

  • None. 

Do you want to track transparency news? You can add our feed to your Google Reader, or view it on our Netvibes page. You can also get 2Day in #OpenGov sent directly to your reader!

2Day in #OpenGov 10/11/12

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • More fallout from wasteful spending: Several lawmakers are calling for the removal of a Department of Veterans Affairs employee after an investigation found more than $700,000 in unauthorized or wasteful spending by the agency. One official has already resigned as a result of the findings. (Washington Post)
  • Stimulus spending questioned: A group of House Republicans is questioning stimulus spending that was sent to a British company to test U.S. broadband Internet speeds. The FCC called the questions an attack on transparency, saying that measuring Internet speed is key to increasing access for people across the country. (The Hill)

Campaign finance

  • Campaign contributions limits reinstated: A federal appeals court reinstated campaign contribution limits in Montana after a federal judge's decision last week opened the floodgates.  Montana has been the center of campaign finance tests since the Citizens United decision. (Washington Post)
  • DeLay appeal pending: An appeals court has heard arguments in a campaign finance case involving former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. He is appealing being convicted of money-laundering in the 2002 elections. (Houston Chronicle)
Lobbying
  • Changes on K Street: Rob Epplin, the former legislative director for Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), has joined Gephardt Government Affairs as vice president. The move is one of several changes in positions or the structure of lobby shops on K Street recently. (Roll Call)
  • Lobbying with government ties: A slew of former Congressional staffers and government employees are taking on new projects in their lobbying life. (The Hill)
International
  • Conviction handed down in corruption case: The Brazilian Supreme Court has decided a top aide to former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is guilty of corruption. The aide was convicted of paying lawmakers to vote in favor of the president's agenda items. (Wall Street Journal)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
  • None
HAPPENING TODAY 10/11: 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

Do you want to track transparency news? You can add our feed to your Google Reader, or view it on our Netvibes page. You can also get 2Day in #OpenGov sent directly to your reader!

2Day in #OpenGov 10/10/12

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Outsourcing FOIA: At least 25 federal agencies are outsourcing parts of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process to contractors. These contractors are handling steps ranging from building FOIA software to recommending what information should be withheld and redacted. (Bloomberg)
  • Self-serving legislation: More than 70 members of Congress sponsored or co-sponsored legislation in recent years that could benefit their interests or the interests of family members, the Washington Post found by sifting through financial disclosures. Under current rules, this activity is allowable and legal. (Washington Post)
  • Ethics committee or protection committee? The congressional ethics committees have increasingly taken the role of protecting incumbents, some critics charge. Opinions from ethics committees containing legal advice also tend to support actions members have taken rather than raise questions about the principles involved. (Washington Post)
Campaign Finance
  •  Member PACs heavily deployed this year: More than three-fourths of Congress now has personal Political Action Committees (PACs), also known as leadership PACs. These groups are increasingly testing unlimited money rules, adding to high campaign spending totals this election season. (Roll Call)
  • Wealthy donors spread their money: Those who can afford to give thousands or millions of dollars to political causes are not just picking one issue and stopping there. An analysis shows wealthy donors are funneling their money into a wide variety of races and issues. (Public Integrity)
Technology
  •  Cybersecurity awareness sparks debate: October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and in this case awareness has also led to debate. Republicans and Democrats have started sparring over cybersecurity recommendations that are part of an executive order being finalized. (Federal Computer Week)
Lobbying
  • The lowdown on lobbying:  Professor James Thurber, who helped write a report on lobbying reform for the American Bar Association, talked with CBS about the current state of the lobbying world in DC. He estimated $9 billion is spent every year on lobbying and advocacy. (CBS)
RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
  • None
HAPPENING TODAY 10/10: 
  • None

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

Do you want to track transparency news? You can add our feed to your Google Reader, or view it on our Netvibes page. You can also get 2Day in #OpenGov sent directly to your reader!

2Day in #OpenGov 10/9/12

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Live out of state? FOIA denied: The Supreme Court is hearing a case from Virginia about whether a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request can be denied to someone simply because they don't live in the state.  Virginia FOIA laws limit the requests to state residents. (Washington Post)
  • DOT website upgraded: The U.S. Department of Transportation's website recently underwent a major upgrade to help increase accessibility of information. The site still has room for improvement, however, as evidenced by the number of forms that are not digitized. (Government Technology)
On the campaign trail
  • Coincidental timing? A movie about the raid that left Osama bin Laden dead is set to air two days before the election. The movie's distribution company was co-founded by a major Obama fundraiser.  (National Journal)
  • Influencing the next debate: A wide range of groups are spending money and trying to spread the word about why they believe their interests should be a topic in the next presidential debate. Some groups have launched new Super PACs in an effort to push for their topic to be debated. (Roll Call)
  • Are foreign campaign funds allowed? A $1 million donation from a U.S. subsidiary of a Canadian company to Mitt Romney's presidential campaign has sparked questions about the legality of such moves. Campaign finance laws, thanks in part to the Citizens United decision, are not clear about U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies.  (Public Integrity)
International
  • Hackers unite against corruption: Transparency International is bringing together hackers and tech-experts this weekend in an effort to create technology that will help fight against corruption. The first-ever Hacks Against Corruption (HAC) event will be held in Bogotá, Budapest, Casablanca, Jakarta, Moscow and Vilnius. (Transparency International)
RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
  • None
HAPPENING THIS WEEK 10/9 - 10/12:

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

Do you want to track transparency news? You can add our feed to your Google Reader, or view it on our Netvibes page. You can also get 2Day in #OpenGov sent directly to your reader!

2Day in #OpenGov 10/5/12

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Another STOCK Act delay? Financial disclosure requirements for some federal workers under the STOCK Act have already been delayed, but those impacted are asking for another delay from Congress. Those fighting the disclosures say the information could pose a threat to national security. (The Hill)  
  • Feds launch big data competition: Anyone wanting to show off their big data skills has the chance with a new series of competitions launched by NASA, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy. The agencies are challenging competitors to help make data more organized and accessible. (Federal Computer Week)
Lobbying
  • One candidate, two takes on lobbyists: Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democratic Senate candidate, has made railing against lobbyists one of her campaign talking points. Missing from those talking points is her history of paying lobbying firms to do work for her. (National Journal)
Campaign finance
  • The money tells another story: Health insurance lobbyists who worked with President Barack Obama on healthcare reform contributed most heavily to the people who were trying to defeat the new law, records show. Of the total campaign contributions by political action committees for the largest health insurance companies, nearly two-thirds went toward Republicans who opposed the healthcare law or support repealing it. (Public Integrity)
  • Another 'oops' for Akin: Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO), who is running for a Senate seat, caught more unwanted attention this week when it was revealed he failed to disclose some of his finances as required. Akin said that the 10 years of disclosure omissions were "an unintentional oversight." (Roll Call)
  • Lawmakers back in DC ... for fundraising: Congress might be on break right now, but lawmakers can still be found around the nation's Capitol - seeking some campaign capital. Several members of Congress who are running for re-election have been in town asking for contributions. (Roll Call)

International
  • New law in Philippines sparks fear: A law that took effect this week in the Philippines is sparking fears that people could be imprisoned for things like sharing posts on Twitter and Facebook. The fear stems from some of the libel provisions in the law, which critics say could cause "mayhem." (New York Times)
  RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
  • None
HAPPENING TODAY 10/5:
  • FEC Data Diving. National Press Club Journalism Institute. Fri. Oct. 5. 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. National Press Club, Bloomberg Room, Washington DC.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

Do you want to track transparency news? You can add our feed to your Google Reader, or view it on our Netvibes page. You can also get 2Day in #OpenGov sent directly to your reader!

2Day in #OpenGov 10/4/12

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Start small with big data: The federal government should start small, but start now, in its efforts to share big data, according to a new report from the TechAmerica Foundation. The report also highlighted how some federal agencies are leading the way with their handling of big data. (Federal Computer Week)
Transparency
  • Code for America announces partners: Code for America announced nine local governments it will partner with in 2013 on open data projects. The projects are aimed at improving access to local government agencies. (Government Technology)
  • Case raises campaign finance questions: A federal judge is seeking clarification from the Colorado Supreme Court about a case that involves campaign finance. The case centers around whether a group distributing a paper on ballot issues should have to register as an issue committee and disclose donors. (LobbyComply)
Lobbying
  • Were lobbying connections purposely clouded? Jim Talent, a former Republican Senator from Missouri, is the top energy policy adviser in Mitt Romney's campaign ... and happens to co-chair a firm that lobbies for the coal industry. Romney's campaign had failed to note the connection previously. (Republic Report)
  • More staffers through the revolving door: Alan Elias, the former lead policy adviser to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), has joined Mercury/Clark & Weinstock as a vice president. Dee Buchanan, who was chief of staff for the House Republican Conference, and Con Lass, who has been a staffer for several members of Congress, have joined Ogilvy Government Relations. (The Hill)

 RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
  • None
HAPPENING TODAY 10/4:
  • None. 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

  • None. 

Do you want to track transparency news? You can add our feed to your Google Reader, or view it on our Netvibes page. You can also get 2Day in #OpenGov sent directly to your reader!

2Day in #OpenGov 10/3/12

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Failed FOIA leads to lawsuit: The group Cause of Action filed a federal lawsuit after a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request it submitted to the IRS was denied. The group had submitted the FOIA request seeking information about what tax returns President Barack Obama has seen. (Politico)
  • 'Funny money' forces resignation: A Veterans Affairs Department official resigned after an investigation found he spent more than $6 million on lavish conferences. One of the expenses? Nearly $50,000 for a parody video of the late Gen. George Patton. (The Hill)
  • Disclosure details become available: Some of the disclosures required under the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act were posted Monday, giving a glimpse into the finances of Congressional members. The implementation of the Act means some disclosures will also have to be made more frequently rather than only annually as they had been before. (Washington Post)
Campaign finance 
  • Battleground states flooded with ads: Conservative groups spent more than liberal organizations on ads in the second half of September, according to a Politico analysis. The top conservative spending group shelled out some $20 million to spread their message on TV and radio. (Politico)
  • Calls for bringing dark money to light: The Roll Call staff recommended several steps Congress can take to bring dark money out from the shadows. Outside political spending has increased dramatically, but Congress could recommend the IRS put new disclosure rules in place, Roll Call staff suggested. (Roll Call)
Lobbying
  • Former Congressman becomes tobacco lobbyist: Former Republican Congressman Steve Buyer, who famously gave a floor speech comparing smokeless tobacco to smoking lettuce, has registered as a lobbyist for tobacco company Reynolds American. (ProPublica)
Transparency
  • Open Government Partnership shifts focus: Marking its first full year, the Open Government Partnership has already seen a shift in leadership and will soon see a shift from planning to action. The growing organization is active in nearly 60 countries and will start implementing more initiatives. (Fierce Government)
  • OpenCongress goes local: OpenCongress is looking for a developer to take their legislative tracking platform to the local-government level, thanks to a grant from the Knight Foundation. The local platforms will allow users to track legislation, connect with officials and more. (Tech President)
 RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
  • None
HAPPENING TODAY 10/3:

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

  • None. 

Do you want to track transparency news? You can add our feed to your Google Reader, or view it on our Netvibes page. You can also get 2Day in #OpenGov sent directly to your reader!

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