This week, Senators Wyden and Murkowski introduced S. 791, the Follow the Money Act, their bipartisan effort at disclosing money... View Article
Continue readingNonprofit E-File Data Should Be Open
The IRS is refusing to release digital e-file data for public documents filed by nonprofits--instead, they release it as PDFs. This introduces wasteful barriers for people who want to use this data. Carl Malamud's been fighting to fix this problem. We at Sunlight join him in calling for the IRS to release 990 e-file data.
Continue reading2Day in #OpenGov 4/26/2013
NEWS ROUNDUP: A longtime defense industry lobbyist, John Bonsell, has a new job as the head of the Republican staff... View Article
Continue readingAs summer growing season starts, produce safety rules delayed
As the nation's farmers enter a new growing season two years after 33 people died and 147 people were sickened in 28 states after eating listeria-infested canteloupe from a Colorado farm, the produce industry has effectively delayed implementation of a law intended to improve food safety.
The United Fresh Produce Association, which describes itself as "industry's leading trade association committed to driving the growth and success of produce companies and their partners" spearheaded the push for more time to comment on a pair of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules toughening safety standards for farms and processors.
The ...
Continue reading11th Hour SC-1 Fundraising Plummets for Sanford
While the Republican establishment has deserted former Gov. Mark Sanford in his bid for South Carolina’s first district, a dedicated few are still giving thousands to his campaign at the 11th hour.
Continue readingFEC denies same-sex appeal
The question of marriage equality for same-sex couples became a campaign finance issue on Thursday, as Federal Election Commission members addressed the application of a little-known rule that allows someone to contribute to a federal campaign from the checking account of his or her spouse.
That way, a spouse with the lion's share of the income can effectively double his or her contribution without hitting the cap on how much individuals can give to each candidate.
Federal election commissioners at today's regular open meeting denied the request from Massachusetts Senate candidate, Dan Winslow, to treat donations from same-sex ...
Continue readingCFTC’s Credit Swap Reporting Requirements Result in Chaos
The U.S. is trying to monitor the kinds of transactions that contributed to the 2008 financial crash, and subsequent recession, but the effort has shot itself in the foot, all for lack of a data standard. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has been tasked with oversight of credit default swaps, but their attempts to define a standard for reporting in this previously unmonitored market have not worked out as planned.
Continue readingSupport Reform on Presidential Library Dedication Day
Today’s dedication of the George W. Bush presidential library will bring the five living current and former presidents together for... View Article
Continue readingEvaluating Municipal Lobbying Data: Austin
“Consistent” is not the first word one would use to describe the landscape of lobbying data released by municipalities. As revealed by our research, the formats and range of information local governments collect and disclose about lobbying activity varies quite a bit from one community context to another. After exploring the best practices for collecting and releasing this information, we created and recently published a Municipal Lobbying Data Guidebook. This guide addresses not only what kinds of information should be included in an ideal lobbying dataset but also information about how that data should be collected, shared, regulated, and examples of the impact of having this information made available in an open way (something we’ll continue to explore in future posts).
So how do municipalities measure up to these standards? We’re taking a close look at three cities -- Austin, Chicago, and Philadelphia -- to explore what they’re doing well and where their lobbying disclosure can improve. Today, we turn to Austin.
I. What data is available
Austin's City Clerk oversees lobbying activity and reporting, sharing some related information with the public in an online portal page. The page includes downloadable template forms for lobbying registration, termination and quarterly activity. The city also posts online lists of registered lobbyists and their clients, along with address information and the nature of business for certain clients.
Downloading any of the template forms shows Austin requires several of the form fields recommended in by our Municipal Lobbying Data Guidebook. The registration form requires information about the lobbyist and their clients. The activity form requires information about the lobbyist and a breakdown of expenditures. (Any expenses less than $100 each can be aggregated.) Campaign finance reports are also linked to from the lobbying portal page. These reports require the name of the contributor, the amount contributed, and the date of the transaction.
Continue reading2Day in #OpenGov 4/25/2013
NEWS ROUNDUP:
- The open data community may benefit from a central, neutral entry point to open data resources. To this end, the Web Foundation is working on the Open Data Directory. (Open Knowledge Blog)
- Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced a bill that would tackle the tricky problem of disclosing the flood of political money that has emerged in the past few years. The bill focuses on wealthy donors, corporations, and unions and its sponsors think that it hits donors on both sides of the political aisle. (NPR, Roll Call)
- South Carolina Senator Lindsay Graham wasn't up for reelection in 2012, but he still managed to raise more money from lobbyists than all but one other member of Congress. New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, who was running, raised slightly more. (Public Integrity)
- A number of documents signed by Attorney General Erich Holder and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper that invoked the state secrets privilege were made public through a lawsuit this week. The suit focuses on the "no-fly list" kept by the US government to keep suspected terrorists from flying to or within the states. (POLITICO)
- The political group launched by former Rep. Gabby Giffords to fight for greater gun control is going on the attack with negative ads for the first time. Their initial ad buy, which will target Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY), is worth a few hundred thousand dollars. (Washington Post)
- Text messages sent by elected officials in the District of Columbia on their government funded phones are currently in a Freedom of Information grey area. FOIA requests to the DC Council and Mayor's office for text messages were denied because neither body maintains or has access to the text messages, the exist on the phone's and in whatever form the cell carrier maintains. (DCist)
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