2Day in #OpenGov 9/26/2011

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

News Roundup:

Government
  • Nobody is happy with President Obama’s newly proposed set of ethics rules for executive branch employees. K Street thinks they are too stringent; reformers counter that they don’t go far enough. (Roll Call $)(The Hill)
  • Improved oversight and administration of defense contracts is necessary for the Pentagon to reach a 2017 deadline for auditable books, according to a Defense Department deputy inspector. (Government Executive)
  • Many have suggested that agencies should create vendor management offices to oversee contractors’ work quality. (Federal Computer Week)
  • A CATO study gave Congress a C+ for how well it provides access to its legislative data. (GovFresh)

Lobbying

  • A former White House official is serving a year in prison for lying to federal investigators about his dealings with lobbyist Jack Abramoff. (Federal Times)
  • The Energy Department has not disclosed any records of being lobbied by the failed solar energy company Solyndra, despite its K Street lobbying firm reporting lobbying the department regarding the stimulus package. (The Hill)
  • After spending mostly on the Democratic side in 2008, Google has gone on a “spending spree on the Republican side of the aisle.” The company is now spending the same amount on lobbying as Microsoft. (techPresident)
Technology
  • Government and technology are coming together to design apps to aid disaster response. (Federal Computer Week)
State and Local
  • South Carolina’s governor and other officials went overseas to attend the 49th International Paris Air Show, ultimately costing taxpayers $231,500. This information only came to light after the South Carolina Policy Council spent three months investigating, including filing multiple FOIA requests and writing a $270 check. (The Nerve)
  • Philadelphia has approved regulations that will require lobbyists to register with the city’s ethics board. (Philly.com)
  • DC Council member Tommy Wells plans to introduce his draft legislation seeking to limit lobbyists’ influence on city policymaking next week. (Washington Post)
  • New York Governor Cuomo’s new website, Citizen Connects, will be used to host live online chats with the governor and his staff. (GovTech)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 9/26-9/30:

  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • H.R. 3044. A bill to amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to repeal the Office of Financial Research; to the Committee on Financial Services.

Transparency events scheduled for 9/26-9/30:

Monday

Tuesday

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