Despite all of the different promises made by governments make data open by default, many transparency groups around the world are struggling with governments that are reluctant at best, obstructive at worst.
Continue readingFOIA reform is dead (in this Congress), long live FOIA reform!
The chance for reforms to the Freedom of Information Act in the 113th Congress is officially gone. And yet, there is more reason to celebrate today than to despair.
Continue readingCongress just found a way to put more money in politics — can we have more transparency too?
A provision stealthily added to the just-agreed-to congressional spending measure — also known as the omnibus — will allow political parties to raise 10 times more money from wealthy individuals.
Continue readingHow do we improve open data for police accountability?
We grant law enforcement and corrections departments the right to exercise more physical power over US citizens than we do to any other part of our government. Do we have the data we need to evaluate how they use it?
Continue readingIn search of not-so-lost time: What transparency can tell us about history, race relations and Ferguson
In 1958, the fact that Mississippi teen Amos Brown opened a bank account on behalf of the NAACP was deemed important enough to inform the mayor, the chief of police and the Mississippi Sovereignty Commission.
Continue readingTester introduces the SUN Act, gets real about disclosure by nonprofits
Today, Sen. Jon Tester introduced the Sunlight for Unaccountable Nonprofits Act (The SUN Act). Not only are we at the Sunlight Foundation more than a little bit in love with the name, but we also love what the bill does.
Continue readingSenate to move on FOIA Improvement Act in lame duck
A new manager's amendment changes how effective the FOIA Improvement Act will be.
Continue readingEnvironmentalists charge violations of New Mexico open meetings and records laws in plan to divert Gila River
A former official with a New Mexico water commission is accusing his old organization of violating the state's open meeting laws.
Continue readingWe need an affirmative vision for Congress
We need to channel our frustration over Congress, and use our frustration to ask a more fundamental question: What would a strong, representative, effective Congress look like?
Continue readingBringing more transparency to the 114th House of Representatives
Nine ways the House of Representatives can become more transparent and accountable.
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