Today in #OpenGov 11/26/2013

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Programming note: Today in #OpenGov, and its author, will be taking the rest of the week off. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! 

National News

  • The House Chief Administrative Officer, Dan Strodel, is retiring after 28 years on Capitol Hill. Before being tapped to run the office that supports more than 10,000 members, staff, and employees, Strodel was a senior adviser to the House Committee on Administration. A replacement is expected to be named soon. (Roll Call)
  • Today in cogitative dissonance, the Laborers’ International Union of North America PAC chipped in $150,000 to the Defending Main Street Super PAC. Defending Main Street is a right leaning group started by former Rep. Steven LaTourette (R), that hopes to defend more moderate Republicans. (Roll Call)
  • Happy Holidays from the FEC, a reminder that campaigns and committees who intend to send out more than 500 holiday greetings need to disclose the organization behind the card. (Roll Call)

International News

  • The Tunisian Ministry of Finance took an important step while presenting their budget proposal to the National Constituent Assembly, the country’s interim legislative body. In addition to the official submission, they released an overview document to the wider public. (International Budget Partnership)
  • Qingdao, one of China’s major cities, just launched an open government platform that targets citizen services and information to help residents navigate city life. (Future Gov)

State and Local News

  • Sierra Madre, California turned to OpenGov.com, a silicon valley start up, to institute a more open budget. The new system allows city employees and citizens to dig deeper into the budget. (Sierra Madre Weekly)
  • A number of bills are floating around the Massachusetts state house that would institute a number of reforms to state public records laws. The bills would lower costs, make it easier to download electronic records, and streamline the process. (Lowell Sun)

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