Keep reading for today’s look at #OpenGov news, events and analysis including an election law journal, a report on engaging open data users, and a pretty shocking arrest in California. 

National News

• Articles from the March edition of The Election Law Journal are available online for free for a short time. Highlights include “The Seven Deadly Virtues of Lobbyists: What Lawyer Lobbyists Really do.” (Roll Call)
• Republican FEC commissioners spoke out about a document that they feel was unfairly redacted before its recent release. The redacted document is tied to a deadlocked decision over whether Crossroads GPS is a legitimate nonprofit. (National Journal)
• A response to last weekend’s “sinkhole of bureaucracy,” article in the Washington Post focusing on federal employees who insist on speaking off the record, even when talking about innocuous or publicly available topics. (The Atlantic)

International News

• A new report explores “user engagement strategies for open data,” exploring five cases across three continents. (Tech President)

State and Local News

• The Florida Senate just passed stronger disclosure requirements on lobbyists representing the state’s 1,000 “special districts.” It would also prevent a number of former state officials from working as lobbyists. (Washington Times/AP)
• California State Senator Leeland Yee, who has advocated for campaign finance transparency as well as banning the sale of violent video games to children, was charged with bribery, corruption and firearms trafficking.(Ars Technica)

Events Today 3/27

• Business meeting to consider S. 1720, “the Patent Transparency and Improvements Act of 2013,” and several nominations. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Thurs. 3/27. 10:00 am. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
• Turning the lights on: Open data, open markets. The Congressional Internet Caucus. Thurs. 3/27. 12:30 pm. 2237 Rayburn House Office Building.
• Urban Informatics: A new science for better cities. NYU Washington DC. Thurs 3/27. 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. 1307 L Street, NW, Abramson Family Auditorioum, Washington, DC.

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