2Day in #OpenGov 10/18/2011

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Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.

Take a look at Tuesday’s transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events.

News Roundup:

Government
  • Members of Congress often receive superior customer service and other perks from major companies. Expedited cable and internet service and the ability to book seats on multiple planes while only paying for one flight, are just two examples. (Roll Call$)
  • The quickest way to key committee posts and power in Congress may be to raise a lot of money. Members of powerful committees are expected to donate large sums to party organizations and decision makers. (AlterNet/The Washington Spectator)
  • The National Archive and Records Administration’s Chief Archivist, David Ferriero, has spoken up for open and transparent government. He believes that strong records management is the key to openness. (Fierce Government)
  • A new GAO report shows that the average tenure of Federal chief information officers has settled at around two years. Information executives agree that instituting major organizational or policy changes would require 3 to 5 years. (Nextgov)
Campaign Finance
  • Healthcare companies, who are interested in seeing the Super Committee fail, have donated large sums of money to the committee’s members. (The Hill)
  • Over the past 4 years more than 90 political campaigns have sold or rented their donor contact lists, raising millions of dollars. The lists are primarily rented to other campaigns, PACs, and foundations. Major beneficiaries of the practice include the campaigns of President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain. (Roll Call$)
Lobbying and Advocacy
  • The National Association of Letter Carriers is building up its team as it works to save the USPS. It has hired President Obama’s former “Car Czar”, Ron Bloom, and the investment bank Lazard, which specializes in overhauling complex and financially troubled institution. The association wants to innovate and find new ways to build business at the USPS. (Government Executive)
State and Local
  • A law passed decades ago in Wisconsin could have major repercussions on the effort to recall Governor Scott Walker. The law allows public officials subject to a recall to raise unlimited funds during the time that signatures to force the recall are being collected. (Lobby Comply)
  • The Torrance, CA City Council is considering an overhaul of its ethics regulations. If adopted, ethics rules would extend to candidates for elected office. (Lobby Comply)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 10/18:

  •  None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 10/18:
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