2Day in #OpenGov 12/5/2011

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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

  • Several federal agencies have recently started blogs on the Tumblr platform. Agencies with successful Tumblr blogs include the GSA, the departments of Defense and State, the Peace Corps, the National Archives, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. (Federal Computer Week)
  • A new dashboard created by Expert Labs, a nonprofit, ranks 125 federal agencies based on their public engagement via Twitter. (Nextgov)
  • The Obama administration launched a new dashboard to track priority infrastructure projects. (Federal Times)
State and Local
  • The American Legislative Exchange Council creates model legislation that is introduced, and sometimes passed, in states around the country. ALEC does its best to hide information about its 300 corporate, think tank, and trade group members, who fund 99% of the group’s yearly activities. (Business Week)
  • Sacramento County, CA launched a new website in November that aims to help residents stay informed and connected with elected officials. (Government Technology)
  • Maryland joined California in allowing campaign contributions via text message. Contributions are limited to $10 per message. The State Board of Elections’ director hopes that the change will allow more people to give small donations. (Lobby Comply)
International 
  • India is asking internet companies, notably Facebook and Google, to screen user generated content and “remove disparaging, inflammatory or defamatory content before it goes online.” The companies are expected to argue that the request is unfeasible. (Yahoo/ The Atlantic)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 12/5-12/9:

House

  • H.R. 1148, the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act. Financial Services. 2128 RHOB. 12/6, 10:00 am. Full Committee Hearing.
  • Oversight of the Antitrust Enforcement Agencies. Judiciary. 2141 RHOB. 10/7, 10:00 am. Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet hearing.
  • A Medicaid Fraud Victim Speaks Out: What’s going wrong and why? Oversight and Government Reform. 2154 RHOB. 12/7, 10:00 am. Subcommittee on Government Organization.
Senate
  • Oversight of the implementation of the Wall Street Reform Act. Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. 538 DSOB. 12/6, 10:00 am.
  • Whistleblower protections for government contractors. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. 342 DSOB. 12/6, 10:00 am. Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight.
  • Access to the court, focusing on televising the Supreme Court. Judiciary. 226 DSOB. 12/6, 10:00 am. Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 12/5-12/9:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

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