Government

• April showers bring May sunshine? There is plenty of government information that should be made public. POGO picked seven action items that they want to see released this spring. (POGO)
• Cybersecurity shake up: The White House first cyber czar, Howard Schmidt, recently announced his retirement. The position came with little power and the change should not hamper the administration’s cybersecurity efforts. (Federal Computer Week)
• Chamber says ‘no’ to empirical evidence of corruption: Many interest groups have submitted briefs supporting and opposing Montana’s efforts to maintain their restrictions on corporate spending in state elections. If the Supreme Court takes up the case, the Chamber of Commerce does not want them to consider any empirical data that might indicate corporate spending has a corrupting influence. (Republic Report)

State and Local

• Joplin rebuilds online: A year after a massive tornado devastated Joplin, Mo., the town’s residents are still rebuilding. But, thanks to volunteers and an investment by government web developer CivicPlus, the city launched a new online home this week. (Gov Tech)

International

• TI vs Venezuela: Transparency International is clashing with the government of Venezuela. The government recently called for an investigation of civil society groups that participated in a legislative monitoring project led by Transparencia Venezuela, TI’s Venezuelan chapter. (Corruption Currents)
• Corruption kills sustainable development: African civil society organizations want next month’s United Nations Earth Summit to include fighting corruption and bad governance in any new sustainable development goals. (TrustLaw)

• “The Secret Life of Social Links” – Presented by Verisign Labs Distinguished Speaker Series. 8:00 – 11:00 am. Verisign Reston Headquarters, 12061 Bluemont Way, Reston, VA 20190.