2Day in #OpenGov 11/9/2011

by

Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.

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:

Super Committee

  • Democratic lawmakers are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the Super Committee, arguing that it is anti-democratic and lacking in transparency. (The Hill)

Technology

  • San Francisco launched a mobile app this week. The city hopes to make it easier for citizens to access services and get help and information from the government. (Government Technology)
  • We The People, the White House’s online petition site, has proved popular. So popular, in fact, that the White House has been struggling to keep up the pace with their responses. (Federal Computer Week)

Campaign Finance

  • After several slow years, the market for local television stations has picked up recently. Major increases in political ad spending are boosting revenue and making local stations more attractive to prospective buyers. (New York Times)
State and Local
  • Ten months ago, Alabama passed a new ethics law, capping the amount of money lobbyists are allowed to spend on public officials. Since then the Alabama Ethics Commission has received nearly 200 exemption requests. (Lobby Comply)
  • The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld North Carolina’s ban on lobbyist contributions to candidates for the Legislature and Council of State. (Lobby Comply)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 11/9:

  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 11/9:

Do you want to track transparency news? You can add our feed to your Google Reader.