2Day in #OpenGov 3/15/2013

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

  • Three days after its launch, nearly 70 localities have signed up to share their data on the New York State open data platform. (Tech President)
  • The Obama administration’s FOIA processing record came under scrutiny at a hearing held by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. A bipartisan group of Senators expressed frustration with the testimony they heard from administration officials. (Tech President)
  • A number of watchdog groups took the opportunity provided by Sunshine week to release reports examining the Administration’s FOIA compliance. The results are decidedly mixed. (Washington Post)
  • Over the course of three decades a relatively small group of lawyers, with plenty of financial help from the NRA, has worked to ensure that the second amendment was viewed as a way to guarantee Americans’ right to own guns. Over that time the NRA funded legal seminars and research to further their goals.  (Washington Post)
  • Planetary Resources, a commercial asteroid-mining company, has locked on to interest on the Hill following multiple close encounters with space objects this year. They hired K&L Gates to work for them in Washington, gaining significant influence firepower in the form of former House Science Committee Chairman Bart Gordon.  (The Hill)
  • The Government Accountability Office released an Android app this week in order to “further meet the needs of those who access our reports, podcasts, and videos on mobile devices.” (FedScoop)
  • Former Representative Howard Berman (D-CA) is joining recently retired Senator John Kyl (R-AZ) at law and lobbying firm Covington & Burling. (Roll Call)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

  • H.R. 1104. To Amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency of Federal advisory committees, and for other purposes.

HAPPENING TODAY 3/15:

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