Alex Howard : Sunlight Foundation

In firing Comey, Trump creates new urgency for independent commission and special counsel

by Alex Howard and John Wonderlich

policy

May 9, 2017 11:30 pm

By firing Director Comey, the Trump administration has sent a clear message to Congress: without independent oversight, even fundamental questions of accountability will decay into impunity and political interference under President Trump’s leadership.

DC data policy balances privacy, security and openness

by Alex Howard and Stephen Larrick

policy

May 4, 2017 5:35 pm

The District of Columbia's new Data Policy builds on the good work of other American cities working through how to balance competing interests with its strong commitment to open by default and strong commitments to data protection and privacy.

Congressional oversight needed to bring secret ethics waivers to light

by Alex Howard

policy

May 1, 2017 1:27 pm

"Code of Ethics for Government Service," 1958

On Friday, the Office of Government Ethics requested documentation of ethics waivers issued from all federal agencies in a memorandum.... View Article

Secrecy on White House visitor logs shows Trump administration allergic to transparency

by Alex Howard

policy

Apr 14, 2017 4:10 pm

With this decision, President Donald J. Trump has now established one of the worst records on open government in the first 100 days of an administration in American history.

President Trump should embrace transparency and disclose his tax returns

by Alex Howard

policy

Apr 10, 2017 4:05 pm

In May 2016, Sunlight said that Congress should mandate disclosure of the tax returns of presidential candidates. As we detailed,... View Article

Congress should honor its commitments to transparency

by Alex Howard

policy

Mar 23, 2017 10:00 am

U.S. Capitol at dusk, March 2017. Credit: Alexander B. Howard

Secret laws have no place in a democracy. Laws enacted in secret, outside of public view or access, are similarly anathema to a transparent and accountable legislative process that honors the consent of the governed.

Today in OpenGov: On weaponized disclosures, Trumpian ethics and more

by Alex Howard Mar 22, 2017 12:34 pm

In today’s edition, we decry weaponized disclosures, share new data about gun murders across the country, highlight Judge Gorsuch’s testimony... View Article

Weaponized disclosure must not erode public trust in government

by Alex Howard and John Wonderlich

policy

Mar 22, 2017 11:57 am

Recent executive actions by the Trump administration violate federal information policy norms and treat data disclosure as a tool for division and public intimidation, not a means for achieving transparency and accountability.