National News

• Yesterday I noted that new legislation would allow businesses to ignore open data requirements, turns out that it’s sponsor has decided not to introduce the legislation without significantly scaling it back first. (Data Transparency Coalition)
• Rumors are swirling that one of K Street’s top firms is looking at a merger opportunity. Patton Boggs, the law and lobbying giant which has seen its revenues and prestige decline recently, may be in talks with Locke Lord, another large firm. (The Hill)
• A group of prominent Latino fundraisers for Obama are moving on to other priorities, namely vulnerable members of Congress that are against immigration reform. The group, the Latino Victory Fund, is planning to use as much as $20 million to target lawmakers with substantial Latino populations in their districts. (Washington Post)

International News

• The Philippines is looking for public input on one of its key open data websites. The Transparency and Accountability Initiative for Lump Sum Funds website will begin asking citizens for feedback on how lawmakers are spending Priority Development Assistance Funds, detailed on the site. (Future Gov)
• The Open Knowledge Foundation launched its 2013 Open Data Index on the eve of this week’s Open Government Partnership Summit. The Index found that many countries around the world are still struggling to provide important data to the public. (Open Knowledge Blog)

State and Local News

• Michigan’s Attorney General has decided to shed some light on the dark money fund that he was using to help pad the budget of his office, pay a top aid, and cover some of the expenses incurred by Detroit’s emergency manager. Bill Schuette’s fund, On Duty For Michigan, will begin disclosing its donors. (Michigan Radio)

Events Today

• Markup of H.R. 2860, the OPM IG Act; H.R. 3316, the Grant Reform and New Transparency Act 0f 2013 (GRANT Act); and other business. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Tues. 10/29. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.
• 21st Century Regulations: Using technology and data analysis to improve results. Progressive Policy Institute. Tues. 10/29. 12:00 – 1:30 pm. Mayflower Hotel, the State Room, 1127 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036.

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