Tacoma, Wash., just passed an open data policy that will allow the city to make better decisions that will ultimately improve the lives of its citizens.
Continue readingUsing microdata in criminal justice
While the collection and release of individual-level microdata is hotly debated across social disciplines, microdata has greatly improved outcomes and decision-making in criminal justice programs.
Continue readingCampaign intelligence: Anti-establishment groups’ final push
As primary season begins to wind down, outside conservative groups are still pouring money into TV ads and mailers, trying to score a few upsets against longtime incumbents.
Continue readingThe state of state and local campaign finance: D.C. primary edition
While not yet perfect, D.C.’s campaign finance website has a number of features that allow reporters and other researchers to access many aspects of campaign finance data in bulk form.
Continue readingMost likely to exceed: Who’s poised to double down post-McCutcheon
In advance of an expected Supreme Court decision on campaign finance limits, the Sunlight Foundation and Center for Responsive Politics look at donors most likely to exceed them.
Continue readingLobby-a-palooza! New year brings new turn of the revolving door
It's a happy and potentially lucrative New Year for many former Capitol Hill denizens, as the turn of the calendar also brings a turn of Washington's revolving door.
Continue readingInfluence Profile: New Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos
Updated: 6:12 p.m.
In a town where he now owns one of the biggest megaphones, Jeff Bezos has kept a low political profile.
The Amazon founder, who on Monday announced that he's buying the Washington Post, has made relatively few political contributions, most of them in the other Washington -- Washington state, where he makes his home. But Bezos has made up in size what his influence profile lacks in quantity.
Last year, he gave $2.5 million to Washington United for Marriage, a group that successfully defended a state law allowing same-sex nuptials, singlehandedly underwriting one-fifth of ...
Continue readingStates Lead on E-Filing, Will the Senate Catch Up?
It seems our Senators have a thing or two learn from their home states when it comes to campaign finance reporting: 31 states currently require mandatory electronic reporting ("e-filing") of their elected representative's campaign finance records -- a leap above our Senate, which has failed to pass no-brainer e-filing legislation for over a decade. Sunlight conducted a review of the current state of similar filings in the states (see chart below), and the results are pretty surprising -- in a great way. State governments across the country -- 92% of them, in fact -- require at least optional, if not mandatory electronic filing for both houses of their bicameral legislatures.
Continue readingSupport Budget Transparency in DC Tomorrow!
Last week, I blogged about a somewhat unusual event going down this Wednesday: DC Arts Advocacy Day. It’s an event... 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
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