National News

• The 29 lawmakers tasked with solving the most recent budget issues held their first hearing yesterday. This meeting was held in the open, but most of the committee’s proceedings are expected to take place behind closed doors. (Government Executive)
• The Senate confirmed Tom Wheeler as the chairman of the FCC after Ted Cruz (R-TX) lifted a hold on the nomination that he had instituted over Wheeler’s potential position on greater campaign disclosure. Wheeler, who apparently assured Cruz that he wouldn’t move quickly on the topic, is a venture capatilist and former head of the NCTA and CTIA, two major tech and media associations. (ars technica, New York Times)

International News

• Access Info Europe won a major victory for transparency in European governance. Thanks to the ruling, the Council of the European Union will not be able to hide the identity of member states lobbying on specific legislative proposals. (Access Info)
• Liberia has made some significant open government progress in recent years, but has struggled to enshrine many of these advances in law. Their participation in the Open Government Partnership aims to solve some of these issues, with commitments to engage citizens in high, and low, tech ways. (Accountability Lab)
• The Philippines is responding to a major corruption scandal by embracing the role that new technologies can play in combating corruption. They announced an impending open data portal and will hold a hackathon early next month. (Tech President)

State Bills

• Massachusetts H 3719. An Act to strengthen campaign finance reporting requirements.

Events Tomorrow

• Future Research on Money in Politics. Bipartisan Policy Center. Fri. 11/1. 10:00 – 11:30 am. 1225 I Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005.

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