2Day in #OpenGov 6/14/2011

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

News Roundup:

Government

  • The White House and Congress appear to be on the same page – at least in regards to oversight – with both Vice President Joe Biden and House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa announcing separate plans to create oversight boards to reduce government waste. (Next Gov)(Federal Computer Week)(Federal Computer Week)
  • OMB Watch has released a letter signed by over 30 organizations asking the House Appropriations committee to increase the E-Government Fund. (techPresident)(Federal News Radio)
  • According to a federal advisory agency, agencies engaged in e-rulemaking should consider content analysis software as a tool to help organize and review public comments. (Federal Computer Week)

Revolving Door

  • Former Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY) has joined a law firm in New York to work on employment and labor laws as well as Congressional affairs. (Roll Call $)

Campaign Finance

  • The Federal Election Commission has cleared Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) of allegations regarding campaign contributions he received from a car dealership he once owned. (Roll Call $)

Ethics

  • The Supreme Court upheld Nevada’s conflict-of-interest law requiring recusals, rejecting arguments that a public official’s vote is equivalent to free speech. (Washington Post)

Access to Information

  • The Public Interest Declassification Board is working to find a way to use technology to facilitate government classification and declassification. (Executive Gov)

State and Local

  • In Thalheimer v. City of San Diego, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld San Diego’s prohibition on political contributions to candidates, political parties, and political action committees by non-individual entities. (Lobby Comply Blog)
  • Puerto Rico has implemented a new Election Code which creates a State Commission of Elections to oversee election and campaign finance rules and regulations. (Lobby Comply Blog)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 6/14:

Senate

  • None.

House

  • Federal Spending Transparency/Accountability. Oversight and Government Reform, Full Committee. 9:30am. 2154 RHOB. Our Executive Director Ellen Miller testified this morning. See her prepared remarks here.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None. But we’re still pretty excited about H.R. 2146, the DATA Act, introduced yesterday!

Transparency events scheduled for 6/14: