2Day in #OpenGov 2/22/2012

by

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:

Campaign Finance
  • Eleven Senate Democrats sent a letter to FEC Chair Caroline Hunter arguing for broad disclosure and disclaimer rules in response to Citizens United and the rise of super PACs. (Politico)
  • The US Supreme Court stayed the Montana Supreme Court’s decision upholding a state law prohibiting certain corporate political expenditures. The move makes it appear likely that the U.S. Supreme Court will reassess Citizens United in the future. (Lobby Comply)
Access to Information
  • Regulations.gov, the nation’s primary online regulatory portal, received a redesign and fresh commitment from the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs that regulatory data will be made available to the public. (Gov Fresh)
  • The Department of Justice ended the last fiscal year with almost 1,000 fewer backlogged FOIA requests than in previous years, according to their annual FOIA report. (Fierce Government)
  • Several government agencies are facing a lawsuit attempting to force them to comply with 2007 changes to FOIA that required agencies to provide a time estimate for completion of requests. (Investigative Reporting Workshop)

Lobbying

  • Visa is beefing up its lobbying presence with the addition of three major firms, according to recent registrations. The Glover Park Group, Breaux Lott Leadership Group, and Creative Response Concepts will lobby on corporate tax, credit card, privacy, and cyber security issues. (The Hill)
  • The MPAA is continuing to pull new staff from the revolving door. Their two most recent hires come from the Senate Judiciary Committee and the White House communications office. (The Hill)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 2/22:

  • None.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 2/22:

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