2Day in #OpenGov 6/30/2011

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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:

Government

  • President Obama nominated big-time fundraiser and supporter Robert A. Mandell as ambassador to Luxembourg. (iWatch News)
  • Senators Ron Johnson and Marco Rubio selected their chiefs of staffs from the same K Street lobbying firm. (ThinkProgress)

Access to Information

  • The Department of Education released data on the costs of U.S. colleges so that students and families can compare tuitions. (The New York Times)

Ethics

  • Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics called on the FBI to investigate Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA) for allegedly requiring her congressional staff members to work at campaign events; Richardson’s spokesperson vigorously denied the accusations. (TPM)

Campaign Finance

  • The F.E.C. voted unanimously Thursday to allow politicians and candidates to solicit up to $5000 for Super PACs. (Sunlight Reporting Group)

State and Local Government

  • The Cleveland Coalition will welcome Sunlight co-founder Ellen Miller to discuss issues of government transparency in Cuyahoga County at the Transparency Action Summit on Thursday and Friday. (The Plain Dealer)
  • California State senators introduced legislation to limit gifts that lobbyists can give to elected officials. (The Californian)
  • Opinion: Delaware should create a thirteen-member lobbyist ethics panel. (Delaware Online)

International

  • Opinion: Saskatchewan will soon stand as the only Canadian province without accountability laws for lobbyists — this must change for the sake of transparency and good governance. (The Star Phoenix)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 6/30:

Senate

  • Financial Fraud Enforcement Oversight. Judiciary Committee: Subcommittee Hearing on Administrative Oversight and Courts. 10 am. 226 DSOB.

House

  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.

Transparency events scheduled for 6/30: