2Day in #OpenGov 9/20/2012

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • CIO Council responds: The CIO Council embraced principles outlined in the federal digital government strategy when they designed their new website. Most notably, it uses a “responsive” design that adapts to, and runs on, various devices, from personal computers to cell phones. (Fed Scoop)
  • Contractors can be whistleblowers too! The Non-Federal Employee Whistleblower Protection Act, introduced by Reps. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Todd Platts (R-PA), would provide strong whistleblower protections to all federal contractors and federal grant recipients. Companion legislation is already moving through the Senate. (POGO)
  • Lawmakers mull STOCK Act changes: Congress could make some changes to the STOCK Act before they leave town to campaign at the end of the week. They may move to exempt employees in national security jobs from the online reporting requirements, or even delay reporting requirements for executive branch employees for up to a year while the issue is studied. (Government Executive)
Influence
  • The Internet Association logs on: Major Internet companies including Google, Amazon, Facebook,eBay, LinkedIn, and Zynga officially launched a new advocacy organization yesterday. The Internet Association is focused on “protecting Internet freedom, fostering innovation and economic growth, and empowering users,” and employs former staffers from the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Rep. John Dingell (D-MI). (National Journal)
  • Twitter gets bipartisan: Twitter doubled its staff working on public policy issues by hiring William Carty, a former aid to Republicans on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Carty will join Colin Crowell, a Democrat who was previously at the FCC. (The Hill)
State and Local
  • Maine gets ethical: Top main lawmakers are vowing to make ethics, accountability, and transparency priorities in the next legislative session. Responding to Maine’s poor showing in the State Integrity Investigation, the Democratic House Leader, with the support of the Republican Governor, is proposing a bipartisan committee to come up with a proposal that both parties can accept. (Public Integrity)
  • Disposing disclosure in Connecticut: The Connecticut Office of State Ethics destroyed almost 25 years of financial records related to present and former public officials. The office claims that they were following the letter of the law and trying to clear space by destroying the paper records, which do not exist in any digital form. (Hartford Courant)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

  • H.R. 6426. Grassroots Democracy Act of 2012. Referred to the Committees on House Administration, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce.

HAPPENING TODAY 9/20:

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

  • None.

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