2Day in #OpenGov 9/7/2011

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

News Roundup:

Super Committee

  • Sarah Kuehl, a veteran Senate Budget Committee staffer, has been selected to serve as deputy staff director for the Super Committee. (National Journal)
  • It will be “very, very hard” for the Super Committee to come to an agreement, according to Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ). (Politico)

Government

  • Google is arguing that the Interior Department failed to conduct sufficient research before choosing Microsoft for a $20 billion federal cloud contract. (National Journal)
  • After months of delay and millions in cost, Performance.gov is up and running, but is lacking substantive data. (Federal Times)(Federal Computer Week)
  • Richard Cordray, nominated to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will be considered by the Senate Banking Committee. (Executive Gov)(Market Watch)
  • Rep. Shelley Berkley is pushing against accusations that her relationship with her husband, a kidney specialist, has created conflicts of interest. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Access to Information

  • The D.C. Open Government Coalition (DCOGC) obtained résumés of over 60 top political appointees in Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s administration that were previously withheld under FOIA. (DCOGC)
  • A review of how agencies manage their business and accounting information technology systems indicates that not enough data is being publicly released, according to House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA). (Next Gov)
  • A year after being warned that it could be violating federal law, the SEC is still illegally destroying records of closed enforcement cases, according to a whistleblower. (Washington Post)

Technology

  • Federal agencies often use manual processes to transfer information between their IT management systems, according to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. (Federal Computer Week)
  • He Said, She Said is a web application that screen scrapes and parses PDFs of local government meeting minutes into readable text and usable data. (techPresident)
  • Opinion: David Perera writes that federal fear of open source technology causes the government to avoid cost saving opportunities. (Fierce Government)

Lobbying

  • Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) is having a one-on-one meeting with Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt Wednesday. (National Journal)
  • The lobbying firm BGR Government Affairs has hired Erskine Wells, deputy chief of staff to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS.). (The Hill)

State and Local

  • A campaign staffer handling the finances of top California Democrats allegedly embezzled over $600,000 from a state assemblyman. (Roll Call $)
  • Nebraska has voted to approve a fund to reimburse the governor’s spouse for expenses resulting from his or her position as first spouse that won’t conflict with state gift and contribution laws. (Lobby Comply Blog)
  • Cook County, Illinois is setting a high standard for local open government initiatives with Look at Cook. (O’Reilly Radar)
  • Kentucky’s ethics commission has issued recommendations for reforming the state’s ethics code. (Lobby Comply Blog)
International
  • At least 17 countries are participating in the Open Government Partnership, an international coalition working to increase transparency and open government around the world. (techPresident) The number may now be as high as 22 participating countries at the partnership’s launch. (Huffington Post)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 9/7:

  • None

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None

Transparency events scheduled for 9/7:

  • None.

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