National News

• In non-election years many political committees have the option to file FEC reports twice a year, although they can file monthly if they so choose. Most committees picked the first, resulting in slower disclosure. (Roll Call)
• USAID official Stephanie Grosser sat down with FedScoop TV to talk about the potential for open source technologies to lower the cost of government. (Fedscoop)
• A broad survey of the Federal inspector general community shows that the watchdogs are concerned about the ramifications of the sequester and continued budget cuts, but are hopeful that new technologies and data analytics will help them continue to root out waste, fraud, and abuse. (Government Executive)

International News

• The U.K. took a big step forward on its data policy last week when it began releasing an inventory of previously “unpublished” data. (Tech President)
• This month, government officials in Romania are meeting to discuss how well they have implemented their OGP National Action Plan commitments. The main goal is to assess the first datasets to be publicly released and plan for updates. (European Public Sector Information Platform)

State and Local News

• Lobbyists and contractors sometimes play a big role in local elections by donating to candidates. In New Haven, Connecticut’s Mayoral election, the race is coming down to a candidate with strong backing from contractors and lobbyists, and one who hasn’t received a single donation from those groups. (Huffington Post)
• New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is looking to go deep for a candidate in his home of Hoboken, NJ. Manning and his wife are hosting a football themed fundraiser for Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer later this month. (POLITICO)
• The Virginia Governors race had the potential to be a close race, but due in part to the money game, Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe has settled into a consistent lead. McAullife has significantly out-raised his Republican opponent Ken Cuccinelli. Cuccinelli has recieved significant outside help, but McAuliffe isn’t far behind in that category. (POLITICO)

Events Today

• 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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