Today in #OpenGov 3/10/2014
Keep reading for today’s look at #OpenGov news, events and analysis including Presidential Innovation Fellows, Russia’s US influence game, and civic tech in Minnesota.
National News
- The White House is looking for its third round of Presidential Innovation Fellows. The successful program looks to attract private sector, technical talent into government for innovative projects. (Executive Government)
- Darrell Issa (R-CA) is nearing the end of his tenure as chairman of the powerful House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. While he is running for re-election, he has expressed a desire to eventually return to the private sector, where he made a fortune before coming to Congress. (Roll Call)
- Billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer has been increasing his profile in big political money circles and he’s ready to go national by planning to spend up to $100 million on the 2014 midterms. (National Journal)
International News
- Filings under the Foreign Agents Registration Act show what companies working for Russia in the U.S. are spending their time on. Ketchum, a New York based PR firm, helps Russia place op-eds, sets up meetings for visiting Russian officials, and more. (Washington Post)
- Indonesia is using social media to fight against corruption and promote transparency. (Future Gov)
State and Local News
- Legislation in Minnesota aims to manage civic innovation on the state level, using some of the state’s $1.2 billion surplus to do so. The bill would promote open data, open government, and civic technology. (Tech President)
- Chicago is out with its first open data report, highlighting a large increase in data downloads, an embrace of GitHub, and and more. (GCN)
Events This Week 3/10 – 3/14
- Whistleblower Retaliation at the Hanford Nuclear Site. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight. Tues. 3/11. 10:00 am. SD-628, Dirksen Senate Office Building.
- Open Government and Freedom of Information: Reinvigorating the Freedom of Information Act for the Digital Age. Senate Judiciary Committee. Tues. 3/11. 10:15 am. 226, Dirksen Senate Office Building.
- FY 2015 Budget Requests for the CBO and GAO. Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Subcommittee. Tues. 3/11. 2:30 pm. SD-192, Dirksen Senate Office Building.
- A More Efficient and Effective Government: Improving the regulatory framework. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Programs and the Federal Workforce. Tues. 3/12. 2:30 pm. SD-419, Dirksen Senate Offices Building.
- Management Matters: Creating a 21st Century Government. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Wed. 3/12. 10:00 am. SD-342, Dirksen Senate Office Building.
- Markup of H.R. 1078, to make participation in the American Community Survey voluntary, and other legislation. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Wed. 3/12. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
- Anti-corruption and Environmental Protection: Where things stand in Mongolia today. SAIS. Thurs. 3/13. 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Johns Hopkins SAIS, Rome Building, Room 812, 1619 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC.
- National Freedom of Information Day. Newseum. Fri. 3/14. 555 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Knight Conference Center, Washington, DC 20001.
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