NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

• Internet innovation could be hurt by government-suggested privacy provisions: The Government Accountability Agency’s new report suggesting measures to better protect private information when using modern Internet technology could hurt the analytics and other tools that help sites innovate. (NextGov)
• Government information law not made for these times, lawmakers say: The Privacy Act, passed in 1974, is not fit to deal with the huge amount of data currently collected by the government, claims Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii. He wants to make sure this data isn’t misused or spread too casually. (National Journal)
• Obama campaign manager accused of avoiding disclosure: By using his personal email to do government business (including meetings with PhRMA about healthcare reform), Obama campaign manager and former deputy chief of staff Jim Messina went around electronic disclosure requirements, says a report by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. (Politico)

State/Local

• Campaign finance regulators in NYC brace for first post-CU election in 2013: Fifty-nine positions in the New York City government, including the mayoral job, will be up for election in 2013. Campaign finance regulators are looking at this year’s elections to find ways to prepare for impending influx of ads by super PACs and nonprofits. (New York Times)
• Increased transparency drives Arizona legislatives proceedings underground: Ever since technology allowed citizens to monitor legislative hearings, fewer and fewer real deliberations have been occurring in the Arizona legislature. Citizens are also angry at the common practice of strike-everything amendments, which allow lawmakers to try to do exactly what it sounds like they do. (iWatch News)
• Primary poll shows public support for lobbyist gift caps: In a non-binding ballot question on yesterday’s primary ballot, Georgia voters of both parties approved a $100 gift cap by lobbyists to legislators. There are currently minimal caps in the state. (Republic Report)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

• S.3454: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. “For each element of the intelligence community, only the Director and Deputy Director of such element, or individuals in equivalent positions within such element, and individuals in the offices of public affairs who are specifically designated by the Director (or the individual in an equivalent position), may provide background or off-the-record information regarding intelligence activities to the media, or to any person affiliated with the media.”  Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders.

REST OF THE WEEK:

• Will the Real Internet Freedom Please Stand Up?: Thurs. 8/2. 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Heritage Foundation. 214 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, D.C.
• New Age of Discovery: Government’s Role in Transformative Innovation: Thurs. 8/2. 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. 1101 K Street NW, Suite 610, Washington, D.C.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

• Director/Representative – CDT Brussels: Center for Democracy & Technology

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