2Day in #OpenGov 8/30/2012

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Declassification momentum: According to the National Archives and Records Administration, the federal government has made significant progress towards reducing the backlog of documents waiting to be reviewed for declassification. This year, agencies are processing around 5 million pages every month. (Government Executive)
  • Obama on reddit: President Obama, while participating in a chat with reddit users, endorsed the idea of pushing a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United decision and promised a Democratic Party Plank endorsing Internet freedom. The chat, called an Ask Me Anything or AMA on reddit, was the first of its kind by a U.S. President. (Politico, National Journal)
International
  • Georgian ethics lacking: Georgia’s adopted a Parliamentary Ethics Code in 2004, but it has not been actively enforced and the body has been embarrassed by everything from corruption to instances of violence among Members of Parliament. (Transparency.org)
  • FCPA to be clarified: Sources indicate that the U.S. government is preparing to release guidance on its enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in advance of an October meeting of international anti-corruption experts. Business groups, who argue that the law is vague and anti-business, have pushed for the law to be clarified. (Wall Street Journal)
Campaign Finance
  • Super PAC National Convention: Super PACs, especially pro-Romney juggernaut Restore Our Future, are taking advantage of the RNC this week to hunt for new donors and try to pull more money from previous ones. They’ve enlisted the help of various elected officials, showing off their growing clout within the party. (New York Times)
  • Cruz unlimited donations, disclosure: Ted Cruz, the Republican Senate nominee and Tea Party star from Texas, spoke in favor of unlimited donations and immediate disclosure. He argued that super PACs were able to exert overwhelming influence. (Politico)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

  • None

HAPPENING Tomorrow 8/31:

  • None.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

  • None.

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