Keep reading for today’s look at #OpenGov news, events and analysis including Senators in the House, national cash in state races, and more. 

National News

• Despite reforms enacted in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal, there are still some large loopholes that allow lobbyists to influence members of Congress with largess. Specifically, a new report highlights free trips that lawmakers take on behalf of foreign governments as well as non-profits with corporate ties. (Roll Call)
• Last week, Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) traveled to the other side of the Hill to talk to a House Oversight hearing on “waste in government.” Among other things, the two Toms expressed support for the DATA Act for its ability to help fight waste and fraud in federal spending. (Data Transparency Coalition)

International News

• In South Korea speculation is mounting that a prominent police inspector is being passed up for promotion in retaliation for refusing to reduce the scope of an investigation into an election manipulation scandal. (Global Voices)
• The Commission Election of India decided not to partner with Google to create their new online voter registration and information tool, with sources indicating the decision was partly due to concerns of American surveillance and spying. (Ars Technica)

State and Local News

• New York Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to focus on campaign finance reform, but he needs the help of the legislature to accomplish that tough task. There are a number of executive actions he can take to increase transparency in the state capitol, but has shown little interest. (Reinvent Albany)
• National networks and groups are increasingly being used to pour big money into statewide political campaigns, leading to more one party control in states than has been seen in the past 50 years. (New York Times)

Events 1/13 – 1/17

• The Scope of Copyright Protection. House Judiciary Committee. Tues. 1/14. 10:00 am. 2141 Rayburn House Office Building. Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.
• Lori Wallach Presents The Trans Pacific Partnership: Should it be fast-tracked or derailed? Woman’s National Democratic Club. Tues. 1/14. 11:30 am – 2:00 pm. 1526 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC.
• Hearing on the Report of the President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies. Senate Judiciary Committee. Tues. 1/14. 2:30 pm. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building. Full Committee.
• Turkey at the Nexus of Corruption & Construction? Views from Ankara and Washington, DC. Turkish Policy Center. Wed. 1/15. 6:15 – 8:00 pm. Wardman Marriott Hotel, Taft Room, 2660 Woodley Road NW, Washington, DC 20008.
• Empowering Agency Oversight: Views from the Inspectors General community. House Oversight and Government Reform. Wed. 1/15. 9:30 am. 2154 Rayburn House Office Building. Full Committee.
• Advancing Congress’s Trade Agenda, The Role of Trade Negotiating Authority. Senate Finance. Thurs. 1/16. 10:00 am. 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building. Full Committee.
• Corruption Scandal and Political Crisis in Turkey: What’s next? Rethink Institute. Thurs. 1/16. 2:00 – 3:30 pm. 750 First Street NE, Suite 1125, Washington, DC 20002.
• Big Data: Fool’s gold or the mother lode? Georgetown University. Thurs. 1/16. 5:30 pm. Georgetown University, Rafik B. Hariri Building, Fisher Colloquium, 37st and O st NW, Washington, DC.

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