2Day in #OpenGov 3/19/2012

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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:

Access to Information

  • Government agencies are require to respond to FOIA requests within 20 business days, but recent analysis shows that many agencies are failing to meet that deadline. (POGO)
  • Major broadcasters are fighting proposed FCC regulations that would require them to post information online about who buys campaign ads and what they pay for them. (Washington Post)

Government

  • The U.S. Supreme Court declined to allow television coverage of oral arguments in the case that could determine the fate of President Obama’s healthcare law. However, the Court will make same-day audio of the proceedings available. (NPR)
  • An investigation graded all 50 states on their transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption mechanisms. Not one state earned an A. (State Integrity)
  • The assistant secretary for legislative and intergovernmental affairs at the Commerce Department is heading to Yahoo. April Boyd will manage Yahoo’s relationships with Congressional Democrats. (The Hill)
International
  • The Czech Republic turned to Austria for some advice on Open Data best practices. Open Data initiatives enjoy support from many levels of the Austrian government. (Open Knowledge Foundation)
  • An activist artist in China was maintained a twitter-esque microblog for all of two hours this weekend before it was shut down, apparently by government censors. (Yahoo/Reuters)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 3/19-3/23:

House:

  • FCC Budget. Appropriations. Mon. 3/19. 3:00 pm. 2359 RHOB. Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.
  • National Archives and Records Administration Budget. Tues. 3/20. 10:00 am. H-309, Capitol. Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.
  • OMB Budget. Appropriations. Tues. 3/19. 2:00 pm. 2359 RHOB. Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.
  • Markup of H.R. 3862, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 and other legislation. Judiciary. Tues. 3/20. 10:15 am. 2141 RHOB. Full Committee.
  • Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. Energy and Commerce. Wed. 3/21. 10:00 am. 2123 RHOB. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
  • Russia’ Repression, Corruption, and Support of Rogue Regimes. Foreign Affairs. Wed. 3/21. 10:30 am. 2172 RHOB. Full Committee.
  • Federal Regulation and Regulatory Reform. Judiciary. Wed. 3/21. 1:30 pm. 2141 RHOB. Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law.
  • Improving Government Transparency Through Technology. Oversight and Government Reform. Wed. 3/21. 2:00 pm. 2154 RHOB. Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations, and Procurement Reform.
Senate:
  • Office of Special Counsel and Merit Systems Protection Board. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Tues. 3/19. 2:30 pm. 342 DSOB. Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, The Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
  • President’s Government Reorganization Plan. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Wed. 3/20. 10:00 am. 342 DSOB. Full Committee.

Relevant bills introduced:

  • None.
Transparency events scheduled for 3/19-3/23:

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