Today in #OpenGov 9/4/2014

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Keep reading for today’s look at #OpenGov news, events, and analysis, including a lobbying sprint, Russian banks with major influence muscle, and planning a trip back to prison for a former Governor. 

A newspaper with the headline Open Gov

National News

  • K Street is gearing up for a two week sprint to the finish line. Congress will go back home to campaign full time, leaving influencers with precious little time to get their priorities in front of members. (The Hill)
  • Patriot Majority USA is emerging as the major Democratic funnel for “dark money” in this election season. The “nonprofit” has spent more than $7 million on political ads so far this year. (Public Integrity)

International News

  • The United Arab Emirates has dropped in the UN eGovernment rankings. To change this, observers are urging the UAE to publish more data online. (The National)
  • A major Russian bank has tapped two former Senators and current lobbying powerhouses to lobby against US sanctions. Gazprombank, which is tied to energy giant Gazprom, has signed up former Majority Leader Trent Lott and Senator John Breaux to fight against sanctions imposed in response to its mother country’s aggression in Ukraine. (POLITICO)

State and Local News

  • Maryland’s Council on Open Data held its first meeting late last month. It was attended by Governor Martin O’Malley. (State Scoop)
  • Dark money is working its way into state and local races, with groups shifting funds around to hide the faces behind the money. (CREW)
  • Former Connecticut Governor John Rowland (R) has already served time in prison on corruption charges. He might be going back thanks to a campaign finance scandal involving a former congressional candidate and her businessman husband who have already pled guilty in the scheme. (New York Times)

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