2Day in #OpenGov 1/25/2012
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:
International
- Campaign finance rules and regimes differ around the world. The one constant? A lot of money gets spent on elections. (CNN/Transparency International)
- Canada is moving closer to joining the Open Government Partnership. Their Open Government consultation period closed on January 16 and a summary of findings is scheduled to be published in March. (Fierce Government)
Lobbying
- A former Lawyer for Newt Gingrich, who advised the politician on how to engage in advocacy without becoming a “lobbyist”, is now the director of government affairs at the American Bar Association, which is trying to expand lobbying disclosure rules. (Roll Call $)
- The Justice department is losing two lawyers through the revolving door. Justin Shur, former deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division, joined MoloLamken as a partner. Meanwhile, Warren Rosborough, a former trial attorney with the Antitrust Division is joining McDermott Will & Emery as a partner. (The Hill)
- Watchdog group Public Campaign praised President Obama’s proposal to ban lobbyists from bundling campaign donations, but noted that it does not go far enough. (National Journal)
Campaign Finance
- President Obama has voluntarily released the names of all his campaign bundlers, while Republican presidential candidates have disclosed only their bundlers who are also registered lobbyists. The information makes for a vivid visualization. (Open Secrets/Center for Responsive Politics)
- Petitions with over 100,000 signatures were submitted to the White House calling for the President to require that federal contractors disclose their political contributions. (Lobby Comply)
Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 1/25:
House:
- Markup of H.R. 3581, Budget and Accounting Transparency Act of 2011 (and other legislation). Budget. 10:00 am. 210 CHOB. Full Committee Markup.
- Solutions Needed: Improper payments total $115 billion in federal misspending. Oversight and Government Reform. 10:00 am. 2247 RHOB. Subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency, and Financial Management.
Relevant bills introduced:
- None.
Transparency events scheduled for 1/25:
- Awakening Arab Innovation. Carnegie. 9:30-11:30 am. 1779 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036.
- Resolved: The Internet’s Domain Name System (DNS) Should be Utilized to Try to Control Bad Behavior Such as Copyright and Trademark Infringement. Cyber Security Policy and Research Institute. 12:00-2:00 pm. Marvin Center Room 309, 800 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052.
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