2Day in #OpenGov 11/18/2011

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Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.

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

News Roundup:

Government

  • Henry Waxman (D-CA), ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced an amendment to an FCC reform bill aimed at making the agency more transparent. If passed, the FCC would have to post consumer complaints about communications companies online on a monthly basis. (National Journal)
  • Spencer Bachus (R-AL), chairman of the House Financial Services, will hold hearings on the STOCK act. The act is aimed at curbing insider trading by members of Congress. Bachus has recently faced allegations of improper trading. (Politico)
Technology
  • The FEC issued an advisory opinion approving GivingSphere’s plan to collect and distribute funds to candidates, committees, and PACs via their mobile-based giving platform. Currently, GivingSphere focuses on charitable donations. (Lobby Comply)
  • VoterTide collects and presents data on the performance of political candidates on various social media networks. (Lobby Comply)
Campaign Finance
  • The 15 freshman members of the Tea Party Caucus are turning to the usual suspects when seeking campaign cash. Combined, they have raised almost $3.5 million from almost 700 PACs, including many traditional Republican supporters. (iWatchNews)
  • Labor groups have been giving less money than usual to members of Congress this cycle and a higher percentage of their donations are going to Republicans. (Politico)
State and Local
  • Charles County, MD has passed an ethics ordinance as mandated by the state, but not before removing an amendment that would have added stricter campaign finance and reporting requirements. The county commission plans to take up campaign finance and reporting in the future. (Lobby Comply)
  • A judge has ordered Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie to release a list of state supreme court nominees proposed by the state’s Judicial Selection Commission. Abercrombie had argued that releasing the list would deter potential judges from seeking nomination. (Courthouse News)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 11/18:

  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 11/18:
  • None.

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