2Day in #OpenGov 11/7/2011

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Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.

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

News Roundup:

Government

  • The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee cleared the Government Results Transparency Act, which would “build a bridge between performance…and spending data,” according to its sponsor, Frank Guinta (R-NH). (ExecutiveGov)
  • Opinion: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) wants the federal reserve to be more transparent, and work for the American people, “not just the chief executive officers on Wall Street.” (Politico)
Access to Information

  • A draft White House memo released over the weekend would require federal agencies to disclose special funding requests from members of Congress. The White House presents the memo as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce earmarks and increase government openness and accountability. (National Journal)
  • Last week, the Justice Department pulled a proposed rule that would have allowed them to mislead FOIA requesters about the existence of certain sensitive documents. Now, it appears that they may have been doing just that for the past 25 years. (POGO)
Lobbying
  • One of House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer’s (D-MD) top aides is heading to K Street. Stacey Farnen Bernards will become a vice president of government relations at Honeywell International. (Politico)
  • Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) recently lost her communications director to the revolving door. Brendan Daly, who was Pelosi’s messaging guru during the healthcare debate is now working for Ogilvy Government Relations. One of his clients is the Essential Health Benefits Coalition, a notable opponent of the healthcare law. (Politico)
  • Jack Abramoff criticizes federal lobbying laws in his new autobiography. He doesn’t think they are strong enough to keep special interest power in check. (Yahoo/AP)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 11/7-11/11:

House

  • None.
Senate
  • Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearing on the nomination of Roslyn Mazer to be inspector general of the Homeland Security Department. 342 DSOB. 10:00 am 11/10. Full Committee hearing.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • H.R. 3262. The Government Results Transparency Act. Introduced 10/26/2011, ordered to be reported, 11/3/2011.
  • H.R. 3309. To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for greater transparency and efficiency in the procedures followed by the Federal Communications Commission. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Transparency events scheduled for 11/7-11/11:
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
  • Politics for Programmers Workshop. New Organizing Institute. 9:00 am- 12:00 pm. Artisphere Dome Theater, 1101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209.
  • Vote:Tech. DCWeek. 1:00- 5:00 pm. Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209.

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