2Day in #OpenGov 1/20/2012

by

Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.

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

News Roundup:

Lobbying
  • A former senior tax counsel to the Super Committee is heading through the revolving door. Stephen Bailey, who has also worked for Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) is joining Heather Podesta & Partners next month. (National Journal)
  • House and Senate leaders, responding to pressure from the internet industry and public outcry, are postponing votes on SOPA and PIPA. (National Journal)
  • Liberal lobbyists are working hard to get their issues mentioned in President Obama’s the State of the Union address. (Politico)
Campaign Finance
  • Democrats in the House of Representatives are planning to re-file the DISCLOSE Act which would require super PACs to disclose their donors. The Act passed the House in 2010, but failed to make it through the Senate. (Tampa Bay Times)
  • South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R), a high profile supporter of Mitt Romney, took $62,500 since 2008 from state and federal leadership PACs associated with Romney. (iWatch News)
State and Local
  • The 9th Circuit court of appeals upheld an injunction preventing the State of Washington from enforcing it’s $800 limit on contributions to political action committees involved in recall campaigns. (Courthouse News)
  • The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices resigned from his office after staffers accused him of using state resources for his private law practice. (Lobby Comply)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 1/20:

  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 1/20:

Do you want to track transparency news? You can add our feed to your Google Reader, or view it on our Netvibes page.