2Day in #OpenGov 2/16/2012

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Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post.

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

News Roundup:

Campaign Finance
  • House Democrats are pushing Dan Lungren (R-CA), Chairman of the Committee on House Administration, to hold an oversight hearing on super PACs and the role of undisclosed money in the American political system. (The Hill)
  • PG&E, a controversial California utility company, donated $10,000 to a super PAC supporting Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA). His primary opponent, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), is using this connection in a new piece of attack mail. (Politico)
  • Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY) asked President Obama to exclude HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius from a new policy allowing administration officials to attend fundraisers for pro-Obama super PACs. He claims that her participation would present a clear conflict of interest because she is overseeing the roll out of health care reform. (National Journal)

Government

  • The Federal government has taken many steps to make information available online. But, the goal of a fully transparent federal budget publicly available online is still far from fruition. (Federal Computer Week)
  • Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) is losing his Chief of Staff to the revolving door. C.R. Wooters is leaving to join Purple Strategies. (Roll Call $)
International
  • Europeans view corruption as one of the most important challenges facing the continent, according to a new survey. (Transparency International)
  • From September 17th to 22nd, 2012 Helsinki, Finland will play host to both the Open Government Data Camp and the Open Knowledge Conference. (Open Knowledge Foundation)
  • Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) asked Twitter for more information about the company’s new policy to censor some tweets in certain countries. They also urged Twitter to join the Global Network Initiative, a voluntary code for tech companies to protect human rights. (The Hill)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 2/16:

House:

  • DHS Monitoring of Social Networking and Media. Homeland Security. 10:00 am. 311 RHOB. Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Senate:
  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 2/16:

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