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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!

2Day in #OpenGov 10/2/12

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • NASA wants your help: NASA is launching its Open API Universe project in an effort to make its data more readily accessible and searchable. The agency is calling on developers and programmers to share their ideas for bringing space closer to the average citizen. (ProgrammableWeb)
  • FOIA website launches: A new website from the federal government is making it easier to file and search Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and related documents. The multi-agency collaboration, FOIAonline, will serve as a central portal for filing FOIA requests. (OMB Watch)
Whistleblower reform
  • Whistleblowers' lawyers support Obama: The Obama administration's cracking down on corporate fraud has reaped re-election campaign donations from lawyers representing whistleblowers. Lawyers who specialize in filing fraud claims at the federal level have given some $3 million to Obama's campaign. (New York Times)
  • More laws are protecting whistleblowers: Throughout the past decade, a range of new laws have started putting more protections in place for employees who flag wrongdoing. These protections cover huge sectors of the economy, with some saying the laws are promoting broader corporate freedom of speech. (Transparency International)
Campaign finance
  • Both parties blamed for corruption: Republicans and Democrats are lumped together by voters when it comes to assigning blame for corrupt politics. A poll found nearly half of respondents said neither Democrats nor Republicans would do a better job cleaning up the corrupting role of money in politics. (Roll Call)

International
  • Aid without accountability? Four out of five international aid organizations received a failing grade in transparency, according to a recent ranking. These organizations represented more than $134 billion in cash flows in 2012 alone. (Transparency International)
 RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
  • None
HAPPENING TODAY 10/2:

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 10/1/12

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Obama's transparency failures: President Barack Obama's administration has failed to live up to its initial promises of unparalleled transparency, according to a recent analysis. During a Bloomberg test of whether cabinet agencies would obey public disclosure requirements, 19 of 20 failed. (Bloomberg)
  • House approves STOCK Act delay: The House approved a delay in reporting requirements for certain officials during a pro forma session on Friday. High-ranking career employees will now have until Dec. 8 to comply with the online posting requirement of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act. (GovExec)
  • Allegations lobbed at Justice Department: Four Republican legislators are accusing the Department of Justice of making an inappropriate quid pro quo agreement. The allegation is that St. Paul, Minnesota, officials dropped an appeal in a federal case in return for the federal government dropping a similar case against the city. (Washington Post)
Campaign 2012
  • Nonprofit makes ad buy against Obama: The conservative nonprofit group Americans for Job Security made an $8.2 million ad buy against President Barack Obama. The group does not have to reveal its donors because of its nonprofit status, leading to complaints with the IRS and FEC. (Public Integrity)
  • Dems, Republicans line super PAC pockets: There's no lack of interest from rich fans of both parties when it comes to lining the pockets of super PACs for this campaign cycle. A list of the top 10 donors to super PACs shows a mix of liberals and conservatives. (Public Integrity)
 RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

  • None

HAPPENING THIS WEEK 10/1:

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 9/28/2012

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Watchdog groups urge filling ethics seats: With four Office of Congressional Ethics board of directors seats on course to be vacant, watchdog groups are stressing the importance of filling the openings. Eight groups wrote a letter asking for appointments to fill the seats before they become empty at the end of the 112th Congress. (Roll Call)
  • Cyberwarfare becomes open discussion: U.S. officials are discussing cyberwarfare and cyber security more openly. Some experts say the increased openness could help the United States set legal and ethical standards in the new battle arena. (New York Times)
  • Trust higher for local governments: Is it easier to love what's close to home? Americans trust local and state government more than they trust the federal government. (The Atlantic Cities)
Campaign finance
  • Democrats start lining super PAC pockets: Super PACs are starting to draw wealthy Democratic donors the way they had been drawing wealthy Republican donors. The largest Democratic donor has given at least $4 million to left-leaning super PACs. (New York Times)
Technology
  • Estonia beats U.S. in Internet freedom: Think Internet freedom in the United States is unparalleled? The small country of Estonia actually ranked first in a recent rating, thanks to its high Internet penetration rate and the widespread use of the Internet for government services. (Yahoo)
  • Open data effort celebrates landmark: The Open Government Partnership is celebrating one year since its launch. One partnership leader said the progress of the effort will be marked by how many citizens see improvements in their lives as a result of a more open government. (GovFresh)
RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
  • None

HAPPENING TODAY 9/28:

  • 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 9/27/2012

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • From earmark bans to ethics charges: Democrats filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO). They alleged Akin changed his position on an earmark ban in exchange for fundraising from a conservative political action committee -- something that would break House rules and campaign finance laws. (National Journal)
  • Find your government at ... Facebook.com: Some county and municipal governments are turning to Facebook as a main platform for connecting with citizens. There are mixed feelings among government officials, however, about just how useful the platform is and how much of a role it should play. (Government Technology)
  • Regulators prep for derivatives deadline: Officials at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are working to sort through a slew of derivatives regulations that are set to take effect this October. The looming reforms are the result of efforts to rein in the derivatives market issues that were at the heart of the 2007 and 2009 financial crises. (Politico)
Lobbyists 
  • Super PACs start second act: Super PACs are finding another way to influence politics, extending their reach into the lobbying realm. The groups are discovering they can put the heat on politicians with an aim toward advancing their special interest agenda.  (Politico)
  • Lobbyists still banned from advisory boards:  The Obama administration's ban on lobbyists serving on advisory panels was upheld by a federal judge. A group of six lobbyists had filed the lawsuit, hoping to serve on affected boards and committees. (Washington Post)
  • K Street on wheels: With Congress out of town, K Street lobbyists have also fled DC for "in-district work periods." Several lobbying groups are dispatching people from their DC offices to work on state issues near and dear to their pocketbooks. (Roll Call)
  • Justice deputy jumps to banking: Department of Justice Deputy Chief Information Security Officer Holly Ridgeway has left the agency to take a job with PNC Bank. (FedScoop)
RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:
  • None

HAPPENING TODAY 9/27:

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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