2Day in #OpenGov 6/8/2012

by

NEWS ROUNDUP

Government

  • Problems at the Library of Congress: The inspector general of the Library of Congress’ office has found a number of issues with space and finances at the Library, citing monetary waste and maltreatment of rare books as major problems.  (National Journal Daily)
  • Mandatory lobbyist ethics training suggested…by lobbyists: The president of the American League of Lobbyists has been asking Congress to implement a non-binding resolution in HLOGA that would created self-regulating groups meant to provide information to lobbyists and those looking to hire them, ethics training, and other measures. (The Hill)

International

  • Fears of a U.N.-regulated Internet “ridiculous,” according to UN: The secretary-general of the United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union shot down rumors of plans to more strictly regulate the Internet on a national scale. This fear came from a perception that countries such as Russia and China were pushing to make global regulations similar to their own domestic policies. (techPresident)

Campaign Finance

  • Pair of campaign finance bills go to Del. governor: The Delaware state senate passed two separate bills aimed on strengthening the state’s campaign finance laws. One bolstered disclosure requirements for third-party ads; the other greatly increased the fines for late or incomplete campaign finance forms. (CBS Money Watch)
  • Romney beats Obama in May fundraising: Mitt Romney’s campaign raised over $76.8 million in May, more than doubling his April total and besting President Obama’s by nearly $17 million. (New York Times)

Open Data

  • Congressional campaign committees post opposition research online: Material for opposition ads have been posted online by all four Congressional campaign committees, which some see as making it easier for third parties to create ads using this information. (techPresident)
  • Now online: Census.gov data API: The United States Census Bureau has posted API access to certain Census data and tables with the intent of enabling developers to more easily create applications using this data. (techPresident)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED

  • S.3254. A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to improve nonretaliation provisions relating to equal pay requirements. “Subsection (a)(3)(B) [of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938] shall not apply to instances in which an employee who has access to the wage information of other employees as a part of such employee’s essential job functions discloses the wages of such other employees to an individual who does not otherwise have access to such information, unless such disclosure is in response to a charge or complaint or in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action under section 6(d), including an investigation conducted by the employer. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the rights of an employee provided under any other provision of law.” Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • S.3256. An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. “Sec. 3116. Quarterly reports to Congress on financial balances for atomic energy defense activities. […] Sec. 3117. Transparency in contractor performance evaluations by the National Nuclear Security Administration leading to award fees.” Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar.

HAPPENING TODAY 6/8

  • None.

SCHEDULED THIS WEEKEND

  • None.
Job Opportunities:
  • None.

Do you want to track transparency news? You can add our feed to your Google Reader, or view it on our Netvibes page. You can also get 2Day in #OpenGov sent directly to your reader!