2Day in #OpenGov 5/2/2013

by

NEWS ROUNDUP:

  • USAID is releasing a number of new datasets as well as usaid.gov/developer which will host APIs and datasets. (Fedscoop)
  • Lobbyists and corporate interests, including AT&T and Amway, have spent more than $7.5 million supporting the Bush presidential library and other George W. Bush initiatives since the former president left office. (The Hill)
  • Ed Markey won the primary to occupy the Democratic line in the upcoming Massachusetts special election to replace John Kerry in the Senate. He had some unwanted outside help from billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer, who spent big to attack his main competition’s support of the Keystone XL pipeline. (Washington Post)
  • Despite overwhelming public support for a least a little new gun regulation, the NRA and it’s money still hold enough power in Washington to effectively block action. (Public Integrity)
  • FWD.us, Mark Zuckerberg’s foray into politics, has yet to disclose how much money it has raised or where it’s funds have come from. FWD.us is registered as a 501(c)(4) and might never have to divulge it’s donors, although many big names have publicly backed the group. (K Street Cafe)
  • San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee is keeping his foot on the technology and open government pedal. In addition to naming a new CIO, Lee signed open legislation that codifies the duties assigned to the city’s future Chief Data Officer and updates San Francisco’s existing open data law. (Government Technology)
  • Opinion: Rich Americans and corporate interests are able to exert outsized control on the political process. New legislation could help fix this problem by amplifying the power of small political donations. (POLITICO)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

  • H.R. 1752. SNAP Transparency Act of 2013.
  • S. 805. A bill to improve compliance with mine and occupational safety and health laws, and empower workers to raise safety concerns, prevent future mine and other workplace tragedies, and establish rights of families of victims of workplace accidents, and for other purposes.
  • H.R. 1734. Shareholder Protection Act of 2013.

HAPPENING TODAY 5/2:

Do you want to track transparency news? You can add our feed to your Google Reader, or view it on our Netvibes page. You can  follow the progress of relevant bills on our Scout page.  You can also get 2Day in #OpenGov sent directly to your reader!