2Day in #OpenGov 12/13/2011

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Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.

Here is the Tuesday’s take on transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events.

News Roundup:

Access to Information

  • The US recently released a new data management tool as part of their efforts to take data.gov global. The tool allows governments to upload, fact check, and manage their data. The next step is to build a visual component for the tool. (Executive Gov)
  • A hackathon held last weekend in San Francisco aimed to promote open data and transparency in government. One notable tool that emerged would send out legislative alerts via text message. (Government Technology)
  • The Cook County, Illinois deputy director of new media goes into detail about the launch of the county’s open data portal, data.cookcountyil.gov, on Gov 2.0 Radio. (GovFresh)
Campaign Finance
  • Democrats in the House and Senate have introduced resolutions that would blunt the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision and exclude corporations from “the rights given to natural persons.” (Lobby Comply)
  • A new PAC has emerged with a decidedly non partisan goal. The WUFPAC aims to elect women under the age of 40 to office, regardless of their party affiliation. (Roll Call $)
  • Democrats and Republicans have accepted large contributions from MF Global, the bankrupt brokerage firm formerly headed by Ex-New  Jersey Governor John Corzine (D). (Roll Call $)
International
  • The European Commission announced the creation of an Open Data Strategy. The move comes after the UK and France have embraced open data initiatives. (techPresident)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 12/13:

Senate
  • MF Global Bankruptcy. Committee on Agriculture. 216 HSOB. 10:00 am. Full Committee Hearing.
  • Foreclosure Accountability and Transparency. Banking. 538 DSOB. 2:30 pm. Housing, Transportation, and Community Development Subcommittee hearing.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 12/13:

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