2Day in #OpenGov 9/11/2012

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • Data driving the economy? More and more companies are utilizing government data for commercial purposes and politicians from both sides of the aisle are looking to support these entrepreneurs. Open data creates value for the private and public sectors, with the potential for expansion in health care, education, and more. (Slate)
  • Did we say tax the Internet? We meant don’t tax it! The FCC is rapidly backpedaling on a plan to tax broadband internet access that they suggested earlier this year. After a predictable public outcry Democrats and Republicans on the commission are, naturally, blaming each other. (The Hill)
Technology
  • Open Source OS for your phone: Firefox is going to launch an open source operating system for cell phones next year. The goal is to create a smart phone inexpensive enough for poor people in developing nations to afford. Their first target area is Latin America. (Tech President)
  • California City embraces data visualization: Redwood City, California is is trying to make their economic data more transparent with an “Economic Indicators Dashboard” that will provide the cities economic data using dynamic charts and graph. (Government Technology)
Campaign Finance
  • Rahmbo Restrained: Facing a political crisis in his day job as Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel slammed the breaks on his plans to raise money for Democratic super PACs, cancelling a planned appearance and suspending his fundraising activities for Priorities USA Action. (Politico)
  • Imposter PAC? CAPE PAC, a secretive group with a short paper trail, was raising money by putting up close imitations of nearly 3 dozen GOP candidates’ websites. The group has taken in nearly $570,000 and spent almost half on two secretive companies with no electoral history. Ads for the websites have gone down since the initial report was posted. (National Journal, Update)
International
  • A payoff for not accepting payoffs? Mohammed Ibrahim, who became a billionaire in the African cell phone industry, has a novel plan to reduce corruption in Africa; pay leaders for avoiding corruption. He pays African leaders who leave office with relatively clean records on issues of corruption. (Wall Street Journal)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

  • None.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK 9/11:

  • None. 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

  • None. 

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