2Day in #OpenGov 12/14/2011

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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:

Government

  • A new bill, the Whistleblower Improvement Act of 2011, will actually gut protections for whistleblowers included in the Dodd-Frank Act. (POGO)
  • The Ohio House of Representatives approved a bill that would set criminal penalties for those misusing taxpayer money for political purposes. (Lobby Comply)
  • Congress has blocked an Obama administration proposal that would have required companies to disclose people and organizations that they support politically when bidding for contracts. (Federal Computer Week)
Campaign Finance
  • A Wisconsin campaign finance law that caps donations to state PACs at $10,000 has been ruled illegal by a circuit court. (Courthouse News)
  • California is the first state in the nation to allow campaign contributions via text message. (Courthouse News)
  • Newt Gingrich is getting some Super PAC support from a new group, Winning Our Future. The PAC is being formed by a longtime fundraiser for Gingrich’s American Solutions for Winning the Future organization. (Politico)
Revolving Door
  • The New Democrat Coalition is losing their press secretary to K Street. Natalie Thorpe Munoz is joining SKDKnickerbocker as a senior associate. (National Journal)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 12/14:

Senate
  • Markup of the “Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012”. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. 342 DSOB. 10:00 am. Full Committee markup.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 12/14:

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