Here’s today’s look at #OpenGov news, events, and analysis including Ben Affleck on money in politics, 1.5 years of Open Oakland, and the eternal question, “what came first, laws or corruption?”

National News

• Noted political donor and often rumored political candidate Ben Affleck  might be souring on political money, calling it “gross,” in an interview for Playboy. (POLITICO)
• What came first, laws or corruption? No matter what the answer, politics inevitably breeds interesting and appalling controversies and 2013 was no exception. Take a look back at some of the more infamous scandals from the year. (Roll Call)

International News

• Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission is turning to social media to help citizens communicate with government officials. The commission is urging government public relations officials to use social media to promote openness and transparency. (Future Gov)
• Buenos Aires, Argentina has taken a leading role in civic technology, not just in South America, but elsewhere around the world. Government, journalists, and civil society groups have all embraced open data. (Tech President)

State and Local News

• Yahoo discovered the “new trend” towards open data, noting that releasing government and private data is an important part of pushing big data analytics forward. (Yahoo! Finance)
• Groups working for civic innovation in Oakland took big steps in 2013, driven by the year and a half old group Open Oakland. (govfresh)

Events Today

• 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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