2Day in #OpenGov 11/2/2011

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This post was written by Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey

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

News Roundup:

Government

  • A group of Senate Democrats has introduced a constitutional amendment that would grant Congress and the states the ability to better regulate political fundraising and spending. (Yahoo/Daily Caller)
  • The Commission on Wartime Contracting successfully identified up to $60 billion in contracting related waste and fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan, held 25 hearings, released 8 reports, published detailed recommendations on how to protect against waste in the future, and operated on a bipartisan basis. So, their decision to seal internal records for 20 years is out of character and upsetting to watchdog groups. (POGO)
Lobbying
  • Four people have moved through the revolving door between Jim Clyburn’s (D-S.C.) office and the Podesta Group. (Legistorm)
  • The Hill has a roundup of recent changes in the lobbying world. Highlights include a White House special assistant joining Planned Parenthood as vice president for public policy and government relations.
State and Local
  • On November 8, Detroit residents will vote on a new City Charter. The Charter aims to cut into corruption by strengthening the City Council’s power to remove the mayor, imposing new ethics rules, tightening financial reporting requirements and creating a watchdog to oversee the mayor and his administration. (Wall Street Journal$)
  • Philadelphia Mayor, Michael Nutter, signed a revised version of the city’s lobbying law. The revision more narrowly defines lobbying activity and covers more city agencies. (Lobby Comply)
  • The Riverside County, CA Board of Supervisors has approved an ordinance that would make electronic campaign finance disclosure mandatory for local candidates, candidate committees, and independent committees that raise more than $5,000. (Lobby Comply)
Ethics
  • A new study by University of Missouri economist Harvey James found that people with a low tolerance for unethical activity tend to have higher levels of satisfaction with life. (Miller-McCune)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 11/2:

  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 11/2:
  • None.

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