Keep reading for today’s look at #OpenGov news, events and analysis including lots of open data talk, constituent correspondence, and open FOI cost savings.  

National News

• There are a number of simple things that governments can do to make their public data more useable. Namely, stop with all the pdfs, keep the interface simple, remember the metadata, and more. (FlowingData)
• The Koch brothers are turning to K Street to ensure that they get to keep up their free political spending ways. They hired a new lobbyist to focus specifically on campaign finance issues in DC. (The Hill)
• New technology and services, like GitHub, are making it easier than ever for government officials to make policy in an open manner, if they choose to. (FedScoop)
• A new survey ID’d some commonly mentioned problems with government IT broadly as barriers to opening more government data. (NextGov)

International News

• CrisisNet, a new tool from Ushahidi, aims to efficiently organize crisis data, with a particular eye towards social media reports, and make it useable in the immediate aftermath of a major event. (Tech President)
• The German Senate played host to the 4th Berlin Open Data Day to discuss how to bring open government data into everyday life. (Press TV)
• WriteToThem, a site that makes it easier to contact members of parliament, is out with new statistics about how efficiently elected officials respond to mail sent through the site. (mySociety)

State and Local News

• Legislation that would modernize the Freedom of Information process in New York City is getting some pushback from city officials. Meanwhile, Reinvent Albany estimates that it will save $13 million a year. (Epoch Times, Capital New York)

Events Today

• Nomination of Hon. Shaun L.S. Donovan to be Director, Office of Management and Budget. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Wed. 6/11. 10:00 am. SD-342, Dirksen Senate Office Building.
• Consideration of OMB Director Nominee Shaun Donovan. Senate Budget Committee. Wed. 6/11. 2:00 pm. SD-608, Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Do you want to track transparency news? You can follow the progress of relevant bills on our Scout page. You can also get Today in #OpenGov sent directly to your preferred news reader!