2Day in #OpenGov 12/8/2011

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Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.

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

News Roundup:

Government

  • White House officials, along with several members of Congress, are fighting to maintain the E-Gov fund’s budget and ensure that sites such as Data.gov don’t go dark. (Politico)
  • Last night, at the first ever Congressional Hackathon, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) argued that Thomas.gov should be contain more data that is easily accessible by social media and third party applications. (GovFresh)
  • Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) are expected to release alternative legislation to counter the Stop Online Privacy Act. SOPA is supported by traditional media groups and other copyright and trademark owners, but vehemently opposed by tech companies, venture capitalists, and privacy advocates. (National Journal)
Campaign Finance
  • Some vulnerable centrist Democratic Senators may have trouble raising money and support from progressive groups. This could cause headaches for the Democratic party as they try to maintain control of the Senate. (Politico)
  • This time of year America is focused on two things: Football and the holidays. Lawmakers are no different and several are hosting specially themed fundraisers. (National Journal)
State and Local
  • A new project, Chicago Lobbyists, helps visualize all interactions and activities between lobbyists and the city of Chicago. Its developer touts the site’s potential to “inform and change people’s perception of government and lobbyists”. The city is cooperating with the project. (GovFresh)
  • An federal district court judge has ruled that a blogger does not have the same protections, related to alleged defamatory statements, as a traditional journalist under Oregon law. The judge interpreted the law in question to exclude “internet blogs” from protected media. (techPresident)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 12/8:

  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 12/8:

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