The blog might be new, but Today in #OpenGov is staying the same! Keep reading for today’s look at open government news, events, and analysis including floppy disks at the Federal Register and ethics changes in Virginia. 

National News

• The Federal Register publishes in paper and electronic formats and has changed its public face to adjust for new technology. The same might not be true about its inner workings. Federal Register employees still accept submissions from some government offices on floppy disk. (New York Times)
• Laura Ricketts, part owner of the Chicago Cubs, lesbian super PAC pioneer, and major Obama Bundler has a new title to add to her already impressive resume. President Obama named Ricketts, who helped raise as much as $750,000 for his reelection, to be a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. (Public Integrity)
• Coverage of the Obama Administration’s second OGP National Action Plan has drawn a wide range of negative reaction from commentors. Stories in the Washington Post, Politico, and The Verge have received almost universally negative comments, perhaps hinting at the public’s level of distrust in government and President Obama’s transparency track record. (E Pluribus Unum)

International News

• A group of Australian politicians is joining the call for more transparency in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. Members of the opposition Labor Party are urging their government to release the entire text of the agreement before it is signed. (Tech Dirt)
• The Japanese Parliament adopted a new state secrecy law on Friday that could have serious implications for the public’s right to know and the ability of journalists and whistleblowers to operate without fear. (Open Society Foundation)

State and Local News

• Bill Bratton, New York City’s new Police Commissioner, was a pioneer in data-driven policing during his first stint as Commissioner under Rudy Giuliani in the 90’s. Unfortunately, there are a number of complex problems with the philosophy and related technology that are not often unpacked. (Tech President)
• Virginia has some of the loosest ethics laws around, but the recent questionable actions of Governor Bob McDonnell might lead to some changes. A number of prominent journalists and open government advocate discussed problems with Virginia’s ethics regime at a panel last week.  (The News Virginian)

Events

• Amnesty, Impunity, and Archives in El Salvador. The Washington Office on Latin America. Tues. 12/10. 12:00 – 1:30 pm. Washington Office on Latin America, 1666 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20009.
• The Civic Innovator: A conversation with NDI’s 2013 Democracy Award Recipients. NDI. Wed. 12/11. 12:00 – 2:00 pm. National Democratic Institute, 455 Massachusetts Ave, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC.
• Continued Oversight of US Government Surveillance Authorities. Senate Judiciary. Wed. 12/11. 2:00 pm. Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 226.
• Improper Payments and Identity Theft. House Ways and Means. Wed. 12/11. 1:00 pm. Longworth House Office Building, Room 1100. House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight.

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