This afternoon, the Montgomery County Council voted unamimously in favor Bill 23-12, the Mongtomery County Open Data Act of 2012.... View Article
Continue readingThe DC Council should consider improved lobbying disclosure
The idea that Washington, DC's lobbying disclosure schedule is inadequate is not new, but it might be easy to improve thanks to new legislation targeting campaign finance reform. Lobbying and campaign finance are inherently linked. Companies that lobby the city government invariably give to political campaigns. Currently, those who lobby the DC government and Council only have to report their activities and expenditures twice a year. As a result, journalists, watchdogs and interested citizens often have to wait until far after important debates for crucial information about the special interests that were working to influence policy decisions. Moreover, the bi-yearly requirements make it difficult to paint a complete picture of influence spending, especially in an election year.
Continue readingDC’s ANCs should put their financial reports online
This post was written by Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey. A version was cross-posted on Greater Greater Washington where Matt is a contributor. ... View Article
Continue readingDC Arts Advocacy Day Promotes Local Budget Transparency
When you think about your typical advocate for government transparency, who comes to mind? I bet lawyers, bloggers, teachers, Tea... View Article
Continue readingClose to Home, Part 2: DC’s Open Meetings Act
Although we preach the importance of public meetings, we recognize that there are some legitimate frustrations to be had with... View Article
Continue readingState Governors redefine open government
The National Governors Association (NGA) will be holding their 103rd annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah – July 15th... View Article
Continue readingClose to Home: Two Reporters Arrested in DC Public Meeting
Here at the Sunlight Foundation mothership, when we talk about local, we tend to be talking about the issues faced... View Article
Continue readingSunlight Weekly Round-up: Local transparency starts with you!
The Open Government Dialogue, a product of the National Academy of Public Administration stresses the importance of increasing the quality... View Article
Continue readingIntroducing Code for America’s Inaugural Fellows
Sunlight gave Code for America its very first grant (a mere $10,000) and served as its fiscal sponsor while it... View Article
Continue readingBringing Local Government Into the 21st Century
These people looking at cities at CityCamp are the ones making transparency, participation, and collaboration something that you can experience in your town and not just read in a memo from the White Ho
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