Keep reading for today’s look at #OpenGov news, events and analysis including ethics reform in New York, an open data get together in Canada, and more.

National News

• President Obama made no mention of increased whistleblower protections for national security workers while laying out his plans to reform the NSA, but some believe that enhancing protections could help prevent future leaks. (Washington Post)
• HHS CTO Bryan Sivak compared big data and open data’s impact on the healthcare system to other massive shifts, like the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid at an event this week. (Government Technology)

International News

• A prominent Chinese anti-corruption activist is on trial for “gathering crowds to disrupt public order.” Journalists were barred from entering the court building and even diplomats were not allowed inside the court room. (BBC)
• Canada is hosting a nationwide open data hackathon. CODE (Canadian Open Data Experience) will last for 48 hours between February 28 and March 2. (Future Gov)

State and Local News

• New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) is putting a focus on ethics reform in his 2014 budget proposal. Cuomo has previously managed to institute some reforms, pushing changes to the state’s ethics commission in 2011. (State Integrity)

Events Today:

• Trade promotion authority and data flows. Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy. Thur. 1/23. 12:00 – 1:30 pm. Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-318.

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