National News

• The famously dysfunctional 113th Congress has been a boon to offices on K street looking to scoop up top level Republican talent growing frustrated with life on Capitol Hill. GOP leadership offices in the House and Senate have lost numerous aides to top level lobbying jobs since the 112th Congress. (POLITICO)
• Despite the Obama White House’s often contentious relationship with the press more than 20 prominent journalists have taken jobs with the administration since 2009. There is a long history of journalists revolving into politics and vice versa, but conservatives complain that the practice is more prevalent on the left. (POLITICO)
• Central Intelligence Agency contractors do their fair share of lobbying, but the giant intelligence agency doesn’t have any plans to make their disclosures public. The CIA denied a FOIA request by POLITICO, claiming that it could not “confirm nor deny the existence or nonexistence or records,” relating to the lobbying efforts of contractors. Federal contractors are supposed to file public OMB form LLLs, but there is sketchy compliance and no system to track them. (POLITICO)

International News

• More than 200 individuals and groups from all sectors are teaming up to promote transparency in Taiwan. The new alliance will promote open data, and has already received a positive reaction from some in government who have agreed to open more data this year. (Tech President)
• Historically in China, officials that take bribes are looked on with more scrutiny than those that offer the bribes in the first place. However, several recent cases indicate that this might be changing as high profile industry officials have been convicted on bribery charges. (The FCPA Blog)
• Following some big procurement scandals in Singapore, the nation’s developer of industrial infrastructure Jurong Town Corporation is turning to data analytics in an attempt to screen for irregularities and avoid procurement fraud. (Future Gov)

State and Local News

• A Wisconsin State Senator is mounting a fight against an open records claim that could have a serious impact on the state’s open records law. State Sen. Leah Vukmir is countersuing the Center for Media and Democracy, claiming that she can’t be sued under the open records law while in office. If successful, Vukmir’s suit will allow all state legislators to withhold information from public request. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Events Tomorrow

• Classified Hearing: Oversight of the Administration’s Use of FISA Authority. House Committee on the Judiciary. 10:00 am. 2141 Rayburn House Office Building.
• Enhancing Accountability and Increasing Financial Transparency. Senate Budget Committee. 10:00 am. 608, Dirksen Senate Office Building.

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