The Day in Transparency 3/24/2011

by

Here is Thursday’s look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events.

News Roundup:

  • While advocates have not yet been successful in limiting the impact of the Supreme Court’s Citizen’s United decision, the Media Access Project is trying a new tactic: approaching the FCC directly. (Washington Post)
  • The Iowa legislature is considering a bill that will institute a five percent fee on contributions of over $250 that a political entity receives from a single source. (Lobby Comply Blog)
  • According to our Policy Counsel, Daniel Schuman, funding for open government websites may be among the cuts included in next year’s budget. (Project on Government Oversight)(Federal Computer Week)
  • House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) has requested the presence of two Homeland Security officials at a hearing next week investigating the department’s compliance with FOIA requests. (Wall Street Journal)
  • Government reform advocates called for the House Ethics Committee to complete its investigation of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA). (The Hill) (Roll Call $)
  • Melanie Pustay, director of the Office of Information Policy at the Department of Justice, calls FOIA.gov a “visual reportcard.” (Federal News Radio)
  • In a press release regarding the launch of Wikicountability.org, theCrossroads GPS president released a press statement asserting that “President Obama’s record on FOIA doesn’t come anywhere near his lofty rhetoric.” (The Center for Public Integrity)
  • Technology is available that allows citizens to be part of the redistricting process for the first time. (Lobby Comply Blog)
  • The City of Providence implemented a new lobbying disclosure law that puts the city’s lobbying disclosure requirements on par with those required by most states. (Lobby Comply Blog)
  • In the last month the Club For Growth has donated $350,000 to the 2012 Senate campaign of Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ). (Roll Call$)
  • According to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, the newly released Data.Oregon.gov allows visitors to “interact with state records, create their own charts, graphs, calendars and maps, and save them online.” (Government Technology)(Information Week)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 3/24:

  • None. House and Senate not in session.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None. House and Senate not in session.

Transparency events scheduled for 3/24: