Government

• Apps save energy cash? The Energy Department is hoping a $100,000 prize will convince developers to create apps that help consumers get the most out of their utility data. (Federal Computer Week)
• White House aide Axed: A top White House communications aide is heading to ASGK Public Strategies, the firm co-founded by David Axelrod. (Politico)

State and Local

• Texas Open Meetings law challenged: A group of Texas city councilmembers have been pursuing a challenge to a provision of Texas’ Open Meetings law that makes it a misdemeanor punishable with a fine or jail time to knowingly participate in a closed meeting. (Courthouse News)
• Arkansans take initiative: The Arkansas Attorney General approved the language of a ballot initiative that would prohibit direct corporate and labor contributions to state candidates. The group behind the initiative has to gather more than 62,000 signatures by July 6 to get it on the November ballot. (Lobby Comply)

International

• Small steps to transparency: A pre-election assesment organized by the National Democratic Institute recommend some simple changes that could lead to greater transparency in Algeria’s upcoming parliamentary elections. (NDI)
• In post-Soviet Russia you make laws: Participatory law-making has established a notable foothold in Russia and several major bills have already been worked on by thousands of Russians. Last month zakon.government.ru launched with the goal of creating an environment for collaborative creation, improvement, and promotion of draft laws. (Open Knowledge Foundation)

• Nothing.