Earlier this week I wrote about my curiosity regarding the differences between the House and Senate versions of the DISCLOSE... View Article
Continue readingOpen Philanthropy Data Talk May 10 at New America Foundation
During Sunshine Week this year, my friend Lucy Bernholz published a “Modest Manifesto on Open Philanthropy” — a must-read that... View Article
Continue readingDCCC invokes Murtha to aid Critz
A friend and colleague passes along the following email the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is sending out, signed by the widow of the late Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., Joyce Murtha:
It is bittersweet to write this e-mail so soon after Jack's passing. While nobody can ever fill Jack's shoes, I am heartened to see Mark Critz, Jack's former Director for Economic Development, running for the seat my husband proudly held for 36 years. With the polls neck and neck heading into the final stretch, I am asking for your support so Mark can win this ...Continue reading
Video from the Transparency Caucus Inaugural Event
The 26-member Congressional Transparency Caucus last Thursday held its inaugural event on Capitol Hill. At the event, the two co-chairs... View Article
Continue readingWall Street Lobbyists Pine For Behind The Scenes Deals
Last week, Ezra Klein wrote a post on how members of both parties are still running around raising money from... View Article
Continue readingConnections In Congress May Aid BP Lobby Effort
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is quickly becoming a serious ecological disaster. At the same time, the event has become... View Article
Continue readingCase study in trying to analyze earmark data
Each year, Congress allocates billions in earmarks that come in the form of annual appropriation committee requests or are attached to various bills that become law. The Sunlight Foundation thought it would be interesting to examine which earmarks, after all the Congressional debate and bluster has dispensed, actually get spent.
We thought a good example would be the $23 billion in transportation earmarks from SAFETEA-LU, The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The act authorized spending on highways, transit systems, port facilities, bus routes and other projects from its passage in August 2005 to what ...
From earmark to disappearmark: Bush administration policy shift cut funding for congressional projects
In 2005, Rep. David Price, D-N.C., earmarked more than $19.6 million to launch a light rail project in his district—one that he had promised to continue his “strong support for” by finding additional federal funding though his position on the House Appropriations Committee.
The light rail project was authorized by SAFETEA-LU, a law enacted in 2005 that was notable for the billions in earmarks it funded—including questionable projects like the “bridges to nowhere” in Alaska and the Prairie Parkway in Illinois.
Yet the light rail project Price sought funding for was ... Continue reading
John Ensign’s Troubles Get Worse
Sen. John Ensign appears headed for a shorter than expected Senate career. Some senators are calling for public ethics hearings... View Article
Continue readingI’ve Got Corruption Fever and the Only Prescription is More Transparency
I’m really happy to present this independent research project by our spring intern Chris MacDonald. Chris decided to look at... View Article
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