2Day in #OpenGov 10/21/2011

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Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.

It’s Friday! This is your last chance for the week to check up on transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events.

News Roundup:

Super Committee 
  • The six Super Committee members from the House of Representatives have received a significant boost to their fundraising since being appointed to the commission. On average, since joining the committee, they have raised $2,270 more per day than before. (POGO)
  • According to a National Journal poll, members of Congress are split on their views of the Super Committee’s secrecy. 56% of Democrats, but only 33% of Republicans, surveyed think the committee is too secretive. (National Journal)
Lobbying
  • Lobbying expenditures were down in the third quarter. Big changes came from the US Chamber of Commerce, who spent less than a third of the amount they did in the third quarter last year, and major companies including GE, Boeing, and Verizon. (Politico)
  • Senior counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee, Curtis LeGeyt, is leaving the hill for a job as senior vice president and legislative council for the National Association of Broadcasters. (National Journal)
Campaign Finance
  • Representative Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) has responded to claims that his once a quarter fundraiser may be illegal and unethical. His office asserts that the strategy “has nothing to do with” setting up individual meetings and is in compliance with FEC regulations. (National Journal)
  • Democratic fund-raising site ActBlue has filed papers with the FEC to allow donors to give to Super PACs through their system. (techPresident)
  • Opinon: Candidate fundraising is no longer an accurate indicator of how competitive individual races may be. The Citizens United decision and rise of Super PACs has fundamentally changed the system. (National Journal)
Government
  • Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Democrats on the House Administration Committee are fighting over Issa’s decision to deny Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which he chairs, travel funds. Administration Committee Democrats claim Issa is going back on his pledge to allow the minority on the Oversight panel to control their portion of the budget. (Roll Call $)
  • New York City has been very successful in utilizing digital and internet technologies.  Their unified strategy has allowed NYC Digital to connect to a massive audience and help the city become one the world’s leading “digital metropolises”. (Lobby Comply)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 10/21:

  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None
Transparency events scheduled for 10/21:
  • None.

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