2Day in #OpenGov 12/29/2011

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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:

Campaign Finance
  • Last week, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that New York City lawmakers cannot accept donations from individuals or organizations that do business with the city, despite an argument that the Citizens United decision made such contributions legal. (Courthouse News)
  • The coal industry, organized labor, and hospitals all boosted their political spending in Virginia this year, according to analysis done by the Virginia Public Access Project. (Washington Post)
  • The Our Destiny Super PAC, created to support John Huntsman’s presidential bid, is trying to change its filing status from quarterly to monthly. The change would allow the PAC to avoid filing a 12 day pre-primary financial report, otherwise due on Thursday, and keep its donors secret longer. (Politico)

Lobbying

  • Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE), who recently announced his retirement, could garner salary offers of $1 million if he decides to become a lobbyist. Nelson has yet to announce his next career move. (The Hill)
  • Former Representative Brian Baird (D-WA) can’t lobby his former colleagues until next summer, but that hasn’t stopped him from taking a job as a lobbying coordinator at a Portland based shipbuilder. His position likely involves overseeing and directing lobbying and government relations strategy for the firm. (National Journal)
State and Local
  • An Arizona appeals court ruled in favor of watchdog Judicial Watch and against the Mayor of Phoenix. The Mayor will have to release 600 more pages of his police detail’s activity logs. (Courthouse News)
  • Philadelphia had a year full of Open Government initiatives. Highlights included the arrival of Code for America fellows and the launch of Open Data Philly. (Gov Fresh)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 12/29:

  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 12/29:
  • None.

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