Keep reading for today’s look at #OpenGov news, events and analysis including Presidential records, the “right to be forgotten”, and safe routes to school in Philadelphia. 

National News

• The number of contractors being suspended and disbarred from working with the federal government has doubled over the past four years, thanks to improved management tools and referral processes, according to a new GAO report. (Fierce Government)
• The Senate took a step towards improving access to Presidential records. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee gave their approval to legislation that would limit the amount of time the White House could sit on a request from the National Archives to release the records of a previous President.  (POLITICO)
• After candidates for federal office decide they don’t want to run any more, they can do a lot with their left over campaign cash, including give it to charity. But, many sit on that cash. 9 former members of Congress and candidates have more than $1 million sitting around, waiting for what? (Public Integrity)
• Social media has the power to increase transparency in Congress, but most members don’t take full advantage. (Congressional Management Foundation)

International News

• Canada is seeking public inputs on its open government action plan, reaching out via their data portal and in person consultations. (Our Windsor Canada)
• A European court decision about the “right to be forgotten” on the internet could have significant impacts for transparency, accountability and open data. (Open Knowledge)

State and Local News

• Students at a magnet school in Philadelphia got tired of being targeted by criminals on their way to class. So, they did something about it, creating an algorithm to determine the safest walking routes to their school. (Fast Company Exist)
• Florida has been trying to decide if having a state agency for technology and a CIO since 2005. In that span it has created and destroyed two departments, leaving a patchwork of technology in its wake. State lawmakers are gearing up to try again. (Government Technology)

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