Today we are releasing an open letter to congressional leaders in an effort to save vital transparency programs. In light of quickly evolving circumstances, we prepared the following document and are encouraging organizations and individuals to sign-on. Please add your names and organizations in the comments. Later on we will transmit the final version with the signatories.

Last week I wrote about proposed cuts to the Electronic Government Fund that would effectively defund Data.gov, USASpending.gov, the IT Dashboard, and other programs. Time is running out for Congress to pass a budget for FY 2011, and a rush to avert a government shutdown may result in these programs falling by the wayside. We cannot afford to let the government’s transparency efforts go dark.

Open Letter: Congress Must Protect Transparency Programs in Budget Negotiations