NEWS ROUNDUP:

• A new watchdog has emerged in Thailand to fight corruption. The business led Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand is trying to institute an ‘integrity pact’ based on a Transparency International tool. (Trust Law)
• A new report from the New York City Public Advocate and the Coalition for Accountability in Political Spending suggests that states and local governments should take the lead in regulating dark money groups. (Public Integrity)
• Months after the Democratic National Convention it’s now official: The Democrats failed to live up to their promise to not take any direct corporate donations after Duke Energy, who provided a $10 million line of credit for the event, announced that they would not be paid back. (Washington Post)
• The Obama Campaign released the names of its top bundlers from the 4th quarter of 2012 over the weekend. High profile names include Will Smitt and Jada Pinkett-Smith. (Politico)
• The might defense lobby appears to have fallen after failing to head off $500 billion in cuts to the Pentagon budget wrapped up in the sequester. Observers blame infighting among defense contractors, the earmark ban, and a loss of traditional allies on the Hill. (Roll Call)
• Patton Boggs, the biggest K street practice, laid of more than 20 people in its Washington office and 65 overall, reportedly saving the firm $14 million. The firm has seen its lobbying revenues fall in the past two years.(Roll Call)
• Japan is planning to launch a national open data portal similar to data.gov. They don’t have a timeline for launch and are currently dealing with data standardization and legal issues. (Future Gov)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

• H.R 884. To require Members of Congress to disclose delinquent tax liability and to require an ethics inquiry into, and the garnishment of wages of, a Member with Federal tax liability.
• S. 375. A bill to require Senate candidates to file designations, statements, and reports in electronic form.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK 3/4–3/8: 

• Russia: Illicit financial flows and the role of the underground economy. Woodrow Wilson Center. Mon. 3/4. 12:00 – 1:00 pm. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004.
• Reducing Waste and Mismanagement: Implementing agency Watchdogs’ recommendations could save taxpayers billions. House Oversight and Government Reform. Tues. 3/5. 10:00 am. 2154 Rayburn.
• Scientific Integrity and Transparency. House Science, Space, and Technology. Tues. 3/5. 10:00 am. 2318 Rayburn. Subcommittee on Research.
• Committee Funding for the 113th Congress. House Administration. Tues. 3/5 + Wed 3/6. 10:30 am. 1310 Longworth.
• Campaign finance and the Supreme Court: What you need to know about McCutcheon vs. FEC. American League of Lobbyists. Tues. 3/5. 10:00 – 11:00 am. Hall of States, 444 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC.
• Journalists at the forefront of corporate governance reporting: The story that lies beneath. Center for International Media Assistance. Tues. 3/5. 12:00 – 2:00 pm. 1025 F Street NW, Suite 800, Main Conference Room, Washington, DC 20004.
• Corporate accountability, access to credit, and access to markets in China’s financial system – the rules and their ramifications for US investors. US-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Thurs. 3/7. 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. 562 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Constitution Ave and 1st Street NW, Washington, DC.
• Big Data: A revolution that will transform how we live, work, and think. New America Foundation. Thurs. 3/7. 9:30 – 10:30 am. 1899 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036.
• Tech@State: Internet Freedom. George Washington Law. Fri. 3/8 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sat. 3/9. 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. 805 21st Street NW, Jack Morton Auditiorum, Washington, DC 20052.

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