2Day in #OpenGov 1/11/2012

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Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.

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

News Roundup:

Government
  • Three federal agencies are working together to create a web portal for FOIA requests. The portal will cost $1.3 million to implement and could save $200 million over five years if adopted government wide. (Fierce Government)
  • A new site, SOPA Opera, allows users to easily visualize congressional support and opposition to SOPA and the PROTECT-IP acts. (Tech President)
  • Reddit announced that they will impose a black out all day on January 18 to protest SOPA. (Yahoo/Digital Trends)
Lobbying
  • Cecilia Munoz, a former lobbyist for the National Council of La Raza who received a waiver to join the Obama administration, was promoted to director of the Domestic Policy Council. (National Journal)
  • The private equity industry has given more than $17 million to members of Congress since the start of 2007, with Democrats receiving more support than Republicans. (National Journal)
  • A former senior FCC official is joining Jenner & Block’s communications practice. John Flynn previously served as a senior counsel for transactions to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and led the agency’s review of the Comcast-NBC Universal merger. (The Hill)
State and Local
  • Los Angeles, CA hasn’t updated its website in 14 years. They recently launched a beta version of their new portal, lacity.org, and are seeking public input to ensure that the site will best serve city residents. (Government Technology)
  • The Oregon Supreme Court is set to consider a campaign finance law passed by voters in 2006 that would limit individual political contributions. The former Secretary of State chose not to enforce the regulations. (Lobby Comply)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 1/11:

  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 1/11:

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