Today in #OpenGov 4/3/2014
Keep reading for today’s look at #OpenGov news, events and analysis including McCutcheon, a lack of e-filing in San Diego, and a public records win in Utah.
National News
- GSA’s new technology incubator 18F has received a lot of good press in its first few weeks, but not everyone is immediately jumping on the bandwagon. Industry and agency sources appear to be waiting with a skeptical eye to see what 18F has in mind. (Federal Computer Week, FCW)
- You may have heard that, despite broad public opposition to the idea, the Supreme Court struck down aggregate limits on individual campaign contributions in their McCutcheon decision. (Public Integrity, New York Times)
- Even lobbyists were upset with the McCutcheon decision. Without the easy excuse that they had already hit their limit, candidates will now be able to hit them up for even more money. (The Hill)
International News
- NDI is out with a new report based on NDI’s National Council of the Slovak Republic’s workshop on parliamentary transparency and cooperation with civil society. (NDI)
State and Local News
- Candidates for public office in San Diego County, California still file their campaign finance reports in paper. Their is support, but little apparent energy, among the county supervisors who could bring the system online. (KPBS San Diego)
- Bluffdale, Utah, home to a huge new NSA data center has been resisting efforts by journalists to obtain records about how much water the data center uses. This week, the state records committee ruled that Bluffdale must make the records available. (Ars Technica)
Events Today 4/3
- No Fear: A whistleblowers triumph over corruption and retaliation at the EPA. Woman’s National Democratic Club. Thurs. 4/3. 11:30 am – 2:00 pm. 1526 New Hampshire Ave, NW, Washington, DC.
- President Obama’s trade policy agenda. House Committee on Ways and Means. Thurs. 4/3. 9:30 am. 1100 Longworth House Office Building.
- President Obama’s trade policy Agenda. Senate Committee on Finance. Thurs. 4/3. 2:00 pm. 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
- Afghanistan: Identifying and addressing wasteful government spending. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security. Thurs. 4/3. 10:00 am. 2247 Rayburn House Office Building.
- Trials in transparency II: Is VA responding to Congressional requests in a timely manner? House Committee on Veterans Affairs. Thurs. 4/3. 10:00 am. 334 Cannon House Office Building.
Events Tomorrow 4/3
- 4/04 Day: Lawmaking in the open. Congressional Data Coalition. Fri. 4/4. 10:30 – 12:00 pm. 1310 Longworth House Office Building.
- 4/04 Day Happy Hour. Congressional Data Coalition. Fri. 4/4. 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. The Loft, 600 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.
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