2Day in #OpenGov 9/9/2011

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It’s still raining, but at least it’s Friday! Here’s today’s look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events.

News Roundup:

Government

  • Watchdog groups want the SEC to require full disclosure of corporate political spending by publicly traded companies which, according to a new Harvard/Public Citizen report, could even boost the companies’ market value. (TPM)
  • House Democrats are pushing for tougher ethics standards for Supreme Court justices, advocating for a hearing on a bill that would require justices to witdraw from cases where they may have a financial or political conflict of interest. (NYTimes)
  • The Health and Human Services Department is updating its regulations to address new technologies. (Federal Computer Week)
  • The FBI is investigating half a billion dollars in federal loan guarantees granted to Solyndra, a California-based solar panel manufacturer that collapsed last week. (Washington Post)

Campaign Finance

  • Former presidential candidate John Edwards’ campaign finance trial has been delayed until January. (Washington Post)
  • American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS have set a fundraising goal twice the $120 million goal they announced earlier this year. (iWatch News) Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has signed on to aid Crossroads’ fundraising efforts. (Roll Call $)

Technology

  • As part of its fellowship program Code for America is sending technologists to spend a year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Macon, Georgia; and Detroit, Michigan. (techPresident)

State and Local

  • A new NYC app provides zoning, building, and property information for specific properties around the city. (Government Technology)
  • Philadelphia’s proposed redistricting will count as a measure of the success of a group of political activists attempting to influence the redistricting process through do-it-yourself technology. (techPresident)
  • California is reorganizing the state’s Technology Agency into two distinct sections. (GovTech)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 9/9:

  • None

Relevant bills introduced:

  • S. 1530. A bill to amend chapter 8 of title 15, United States Code, to provide for congressional review of agency guidance documents; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Transparency events scheduled for 9/9:

  • None.

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