Here is Tuesday's take on transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup:
Campaign Finance
- CREDO Mobile, which donates some of its revenue to progressive causes and supports efforts to repeal Citizens United, launched a super PAC to target 10 Tea Party affiliated lawmakers. (National Journal)
- A study by the Wesleyan Media Project found that outside spending on political ads is up 1,600 % in the Republican primary over the same point in 2008. The surge is contributed, in large part, to the rise of super PACs. (Politico)
- Lobbying and communications firm Venn Squared Communications is holding a cocktail celebration for Sen. Al Franken's (D-Minn) new Chief of Staff. Franken's previous Chief of Staff left for a job with energy company Solazyme, a major client of Venn Squared. (Roll Call $)
- A former special assistant to the president and director of Cabinet communications, Tom Gavin, is leaving the White House to join the Information Technology Industry Council as their vice president for external affairs. (The Hill)
Government
- The Senate voted 93-2 to move forward with debate on the STOCK act. The act is intended to prevent members of Congress from participating in insider trading. (Politico)
- The announcement that U.S. CTO Aneesh Chopra have caused some to worry about the future of the open data movement within the federal government and others to argue that more emphasis should be placed on using data to make government services and operations cheaper and more efficient. (Government Technology)
- 15 members of Germany's Pirate Party, who won seats elections in Berlin last year, are receiving renewed attention following the shutdown of file sharing site Megaupload. The party consists of open-source advocates who hope to create a more transparent government and use online systems to enhance democracy. (Miller-McCune)
2Day in #OpenGov 1/30/2012
Here is the week's first look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup:
Campaign Finance
- Democratic politicians have assaulted Republicans over their use of "unlimited secret money" in recent days. At the same time, the party has been working to build their infrastructure to compete with Republicans in the unlimited money race. (Politico)
- So far this election cycle super PACs have been most well known for their negative ad attacks. But, they are beginning to participate in other activities including phone banking, field organizing, polling, and other operations more closely associated with traditional campaigns. Not all candidates are happy about this. (Politico)
- Senator John McCain, a longtime champion of stronger campaign finance rules, attacked the Supreme Court and guaranteed that the influx of unlimited, barely regulated money would lead to scandal. (National Journal)
- A new report found that at least 5 former lawmakers have collected lobbying fees from organizations that they secured earmarks for while in office. (CREW)
- The Obama campaign is sticking to its policy of not accepting donations from registered lobbyists by returning five checks totaling $2,250. The Center for Responsive Politics first shed light on the donations. (The Hill)
- Retired General James Cartwright, who was previously America's second-highest ranking military officer, is joining the board of directors at Raytheon, a major defense contractor. (POGO)
International
- Ethiopian journalist and blogger, Eskinder Nega, has been detained by authorities at least 7 times in the past twenty years. Most recently in September 2011, when he was jailed for publishing a column calling for the government to respect freedom of speech and assembly. (Committee to Protect Journalists)
- Twitter's announcement that they could censor tweets in specific nations where the content might break laws was met with outrage from many around the globe. But, one country, Thailand, has come out in support of the policy. Thailand has blocked more than 1,156 websites for "anti-monarchy" content since December. (AP/Yahoo)
2Day in #OpenGov 1/27/2012
Here is the week's last look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup:
Government
- It is being reported that Federal Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra will announce his resignation today. Chopra has served as CTO since 2009. (Fed Scoop)
- The Senate is prepared to act on the STOCK act next week. The act, which President Obama indicated he would sign during his State of the Union Address, aims to ban insider trading by members of congress. (Politico)
Campaign Finance
- The Obama campaign is taking advantage of the SOPA/PIPA fight to raise money in San Francisco. The campaign's top technology advisers will be available to talk to members of the tech community who are willing to donate. (Tech President)
- One of Rick Santorum's major financial backers, and the top donor to the Red White and Blue Fund super PAC that is backing the former Senator in his bid for the Republican nomination, announced that he would continue to provide financial support through nominating contests in February and March. (National Journal)
- The FEC has a page full of interactive maps to track information for the 2012 presidential, senate, and house races. (Lobby Comply)
International
- Twitter announced that it built the capability to remove certain messages from user's timelines based on the laws of their countries. The company expressed their wish to be as transparent as possible about the process and requests to withhold tweets will be posted to Chilling Effects. (Tech President)
- Newt Gingrich released his recent tax returns before his rival Mitt Romney, but he failed to disclose where much of his income came from. (AP/Yahoo)
2Day in #OpenGov 1/26/2012
Here is Thursday's look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup:
International
- Two years after a massive earthquake devastated Haiti, the country is still dealing with the ramifications of rampant corruption on the rebuilding process. Transparency International is working to fight this corruption. (Transparency International)
- A former Irish Senator, who became a poster boy for outrageous expense claims throughout the Irish political system, was arrested for allegedly forging receipts from a company that hasn't existed for almost 20 years. (AP/Yahoo)
Presidential Candidates
- New Gingrich and Mitt Romney successfully maneuvered each other into disclosing potentially embarrassing documents. This doesn't necessarily mean that either candidate is committed to transparency in their campaigns or the government. (Fox News)
- Tensions between Hollywood and opponents of SOPA and PIPA in Washington don't seem to have hurt President Obama's ability to raise money from Tinseltown. The Obama Victory Fund is hosting several fundraisers to benefit the President's reelection campaign and the Democratic party in the coming weeks. (The Hill)
Government
- House Democrats are expected to introduce an updated version of the DISCLOSE Act in coming days. The bill will include notable exceptions, originally aimed at placating the NRA, from its original iteration. (Huffington Post)
- Private interests spent freely in 2011 to send members of Congress and their staff on trips. 1,600 privately funded congressional trips were worth more than $5.8 million last year. (Legistorm)
- San Francisco is emerging as a leader in using city data to encourage programmers, activists, and companies to create solutions to make city governments more efficient and effective. (Tech President)
- Longstanding rules on the House press gallery are changing. Journalists are allowed to use laptop computers and smart phones on a trial basis. (Gov Fresh)
2Day in #OpenGov 1/25/2012
Here is Wednesday's look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup:
International
- Campaign finance rules and regimes differ around the world. The one constant? A lot of money gets spent on elections. (CNN/Transparency International)
- Canada is moving closer to joining the Open Government Partnership. Their Open Government consultation period closed on January 16 and a summary of findings is scheduled to be published in March. (Fierce Government)
Government
Lobbying
- A former Lawyer for Newt Gingrich, who advised the politician on how to engage in advocacy without becoming a "lobbyist", is now the director of government affairs at the American Bar Association, which is trying to expand lobbying disclosure rules. (Roll Call $)
- The Justice department is losing two lawyers through the revolving door. Justin Shur, former deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division, joined MoloLamken as a partner. Meanwhile, Warren Rosborough, a former trial attorney with the Antitrust Division is joining McDermott Will & Emery as a partner. (The Hill)
- Watchdog group Public Campaign praised President Obama's proposal to ban lobbyists from bundling campaign donations, but noted that it does not go far enough. (National Journal)
Campaign Finance
- President Obama has voluntarily released the names of all his campaign bundlers, while Republican presidential candidates have disclosed only their bundlers who are also registered lobbyists. The information makes for a vivid visualization. (Open Secrets/Center for Responsive Politics)
- Petitions with over 100,000 signatures were submitted to the White House calling for the President to require that federal contractors disclose their political contributions. (Lobby Comply)
2Day in #OpenGov 1/24/2012
Here is Tuesday's take on transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup:
Government
- The collapse of SOPA and PIPA, after protest from the tech industry and general public last week, has opened the door for alternative legislation being proposed by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA). (The Hill)
- The White house announced a major addition to its data.gov efforts. Education.data.gov will target developers, teachers, and students. (Tech President)
- Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) reported "questionable contact" by Harbinger Capital, a hedgefund invested heavily in controversial wireless start-up LightSquared, to the Senate Ethics Committee. Grassley viewed certain contact by the company as an attempt to discuss a quid pro quo. (The Hill)
- Strategic communications firm SKDKnickerbocker is bringing on some new employees direct from government service. Rachel Racusen was director of public affairs at FEMA while Noralisa Leo was an external affairs officer and deputy director at the Smithsonian. (National Journal)
- The Governor of New Mexico, Susana Martinez (R-NM), is endorsing legislative efforts to institute a two-year ban on lobbying for ex-lawmakers. (Lobby Comply)
Lobbying
- Google spent $3.76 million on lobbying in the fourth quarter of 2011 as it fought over online piracy laws and other major issues. The company easily outpaced its third quarter spending of $2.38 million. Throughout 2011 Google spent almost $10 million on lobbying, nearly twice the amount they spent in 2010. (AP/Yahoo)
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is organizing an online lobbying blitz centered around tonight's State of the Union address. The organization is urging its members and supporters to tweet the White House and Congress to "#getserious about #jobs". (Roll Call $)
- Lobbyists representing Egypt in Washington rapidly mobilized to provide the country with political cover after security forces raided 17 foreign-based NGO's at the end of 2011. The raids were condemned at high levels of the U.S. government. (Politico)
2day in #OpenGov 1/23/2012
Here is the week's first look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup:
International
- The United Nations, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the US House of Representatives are organizing an event to promote and discuss the use of open document standards in parliaments and legislatures world-wide. (ICT Parliament)
- The Navarra region of Spain released a draft of their new law on Transparency and Open Government. Open government groups have applauded the law for setting "new standards for Spain and internationally." (Access Info)
Government
- Newt Gingrich came out against the SOPA and PIPA legislation on Thursday. But, his comments don't match up with previous statements that he has made about online free speech. In 2006, Gingrich argued in favor of censoring the internet in cases involving Islamic radicals. (Politico)
- The Navy may have pressured the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry into withholding information related to water contamination at Camp Lejune. (POGO)
- According to year-end reports, some of Washington's biggest lobbying shops saw their revenues decline in 2011. Gridlock in Congress combined with still-shaky economic conditions caused businesses to allocate lobbying money carefully. (The Hill)
- Former Representative William Delahunt (D-MA) started his own lobbying firm shortly after retiring from congress. One of his first clients, the town of Hull Massachusetts, is paying his firm $15,000 per month to lobby for a project that he personally earmarked $1.7 million for when serving in Congress. (New York Times)
Campaign Finance
- Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) and his likely Democratic opponent Elizabeth Warren reached a tentative agreement aimed at dissuading outside groups from flooding their race with money. (Politico)
- New federal rules allow traditional PACs and super PACs to operate under the same roof. These "hybrid" PACs can raise and spend unlimited outside money and give limited donations directly to campaigns and committees. Currently corporate and union PACs cannot become hybrids, but they are fighting for that power. (Politico)
2Day in #OpenGov 1/20/2012
Here is the week's last look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup:
Lobbying
- A former senior tax counsel to the Super Committee is heading through the revolving door. Stephen Bailey, who has also worked for Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) is joining Heather Podesta & Partners next month. (National Journal)
- House and Senate leaders, responding to pressure from the internet industry and public outcry, are postponing votes on SOPA and PIPA. (National Journal)
- Liberal lobbyists are working hard to get their issues mentioned in President Obama's the State of the Union address. (Politico)
Campaign Finance
- Democrats in the House of Representatives are planning to re-file the DISCLOSE Act which would require super PACs to disclose their donors. The Act passed the House in 2010, but failed to make it through the Senate. (Tampa Bay Times)
- South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R), a high profile supporter of Mitt Romney, took $62,500 since 2008 from state and federal leadership PACs associated with Romney. (iWatch News)
State and Local
- The 9th Circuit court of appeals upheld an injunction preventing the State of Washington from enforcing it's $800 limit on contributions to political action committees involved in recall campaigns. (Courthouse News)
- The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices resigned from his office after staffers accused him of using state resources for his private law practice. (Lobby Comply)
2Day in #OpenGov 1/19/2012
Here is a look at Thursday's transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup:
International
- A live talk show concerning alleged corruption among politicians in 2005 and 2006 that was scheduled to air on Slovak public television before elections was canceled because of potential "risk". (Global Voices)
- Nigerian citizens have been protesting the recent removal of a gasoline subsidy and the subsequent rise in fuel prices. But, it was revealed yesterday that the government had been subsidizing far more fuel than was necessary. The extra fuel was tied to elaborate corruption schemes. (Sahara Reporters)
Government
- At least four members of Congress joined major internet companies in black out their websites in protest of SOPA and PIPA yesterday. Some other members experienced website problems because of high levels of traffic being sent their way via protesting websites. (Roll Call $)
- The Research Works Act aims to prevent publicly funded scientific research from automatically being available to the public for free. Private publishing companies are supportive of the legislation, while open-access activists are fighting it. (Miller-McCune)
Lobbying
- Lobbying firms are beginning to release their fourth quarter revenue figures. The disclosures should continue over the next few days. (National Journal)
- 25 Representatives and Senators have announced they will retire after this year's election, a number that is growing almost every day. K street head hunters are preparing to recruit many of these soon-to-be ex-lawmakers to high paying jobs at law and lobbying firms. (The Hill)
Campaign Finance
- 2012 GOP presidential contenders have broken from tradition and declined to release the names of their big "bundlers". President Obama and GOP candidates, including George W. Bush and John McCain, have done so in the past. (iWatch News)
- Massachusetts Senate candidates are taking concrete steps to limit the influence of super PACs on their race. Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) and his opponent Elizabeth Warren are closing in on a deal that would impose expensive penalties on their respective campaigns if outside groups run ads supporting or opposing either candidate. (Roll Call $)
2Day in #OpenGov 1/18/2012
Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post. Here is a look at Wednesday’s transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related... View Article
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