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

News Roundup:

Lobbying

• Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel plans to introduce new ethics reform legislation to limit the power of lobbyists. (NBC Chicago)(Chicago Tribune)
• Google hired 12 lobbying firms to defend the company against an upcoming antitrust investigation by the Federal Trade Commission. (Am Law Daily)
• Goldman Sachs has become a major lobbying power in Washington due to the threat of increased regulation. (Fierce Finance)

Government & Technology

• President Obama will respond to questions asked by members of the public via Twitter in front of a live audience in the White House during a Twitter Town Hall later today. (Federal News Radio)
• The Department of Defense is inviting civilian employees and private-sector IT professionals to join its Information Technology Exchange Program in an attempt to share best IT practices between the public and private sectors. (Executive Gov)(Federal Computer Week)
• The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is marking its 90th anniversary this month. (Washington Post)

Access to Information

• Government delays in responding to FOIA requests remain a problem regarding public access to information, according to a Center for Public Integrity analysis. (iWatch News)

Campaign Finance

• A subsidiary of Koch Industries has been fined by the FEC for making illegal foreign campaign contributions. (Roll Call $)

International

• Extreme government corruption is preventing Russia from moving forward. (Federal Computer Week)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 7/6:

Senate

• None.

House

• Federal Government Spectrum Use. Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. 2:00 pm. 2123 Rayburn HOB.

Relevant bills introduced:

• None.

Transparency events scheduled for 7/6:

• None.