Policy Fellow Matt Rumsey wrote this post. Here is the week’s first look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings,... View Article

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: Super Committee

• Democratic lawmakers are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the Super Committee, arguing that it is anti-democratic and lacking in transparency. (The Hill)

• San Francisco launched a mobile app this week. The city hopes to make it easier for citizens to access services and get help and information from the government. (Government Technology)
• We The People, the White House's online petition site, has proved popular. So popular, in fact, that the White House has been struggling to keep up the pace with their responses. (Federal Computer Week)

Here is Tuesday's look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup: Campaign Finance

• American Crossroads filed an advisory opinion request with the FEC asking if independent expenditure-only PACs can use incumbent members of congress in their advertisements. The PAC admits that these ads would be intended to improve public perception of the member and seeks guidance as to how such ads might effect their ability to independently expend funds in support of the candidate. (Lobby Comply)
• A new pro-Rick Perry Super PAC has emerged. Texas Aggies for Perry 2012 seems likely to focus on raising money from people with connections to Texas A&M, Perry's Alma Mater. (Washington Post)

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: Government

• The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee cleared the Government Results Transparency Act, which would "build a bridge between performance...and spending data," according to its sponsor, Frank Guinta (R-NH). (ExecutiveGov)
• Opinion: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) wants the federal reserve to be more transparent, and work for the American people, "not just the chief executive officers on Wall Street." (Politico)

Finish the week strong with Friday's look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup: Government

• The Justice department is dropping their controversial rule that would allow government officials to lie about the existence of certain records in response to FOIA requests. The rule had been met with skepticism from Republican Lawmakers as well as government watchdogs. (The Hill) Last week, our own John Wonderlich wrote about the many problems with DOJ's proposed rules.
• FEC commissioners faced tough questions from members of the House Administration Committee on their lack of transparency at a hearing yesterday. A coalition of good government groups took the opportunity to call on President Obama to reform the commission and install new commissioners. (Politico)
• The SEC Inspector General found that the agency's Enforcement Division routinely destroyed preliminary investigative files that should have been retained as federal records. The investigation confirmed allegations by whistleblower and SEC Enforcement attorney Darcy Flynn. (POGO)
• The House Oversight and Government Affairs Committee favorably reported the Government Results Transparency Act, H.R. 3262, to the full House. The bill would amend the DATA Act to require agencies to post performance information on specific programs. (Government Executive)
• California shut down a government transparency website. The site was launched under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, but hadn't been updated since he left office in January. The information is still available online, but at different locations. (Government Technology)

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: Government

• Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Elijah Cummings (D-MD) introduced H.R. 3289, the House version of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, this week. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee considered the bill this morning and reported it to the full House. (POGO)
• John Boehner (R-OH) defended the transparency of the appropriations process during his tenure as Speaker of the House, but refused to commit to open rules on 2012 spending bills. (Roll Call $)
• Representative Laura Richardson (D-CA) has sent a private letter to all 10 members of the House Ethics Committee in an attempt to convince them not to proceed with an investigation into claims that she pressured her congressional staff to engage in banned political activities. (Politico)
• Several former lobbyists came through the revolving door to join Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) when he took control of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in January. Nine current Republican staff on the committee have been through the revolving door at some point. (Legistorm)

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: Government

• A group of Senate Democrats has introduced a constitutional amendment that would grant Congress and the states the ability to better regulate political fundraising and spending. (Yahoo/Daily Caller)
• The Commission on Wartime Contracting successfully identified up to $60 billion in contracting related waste and fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan, held 25 hearings, released 8 reports, published detailed recommendations on how to protect against waste in the future, and operated on a bipartisan basis. So, their decision to seal internal records for 20 years is out of character and upsetting to watchdog groups. (POGO)

Welcome in November with a look at the day's transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup: Government

• Legislators are going to have to avoid some strong blocking from lobbyists if they want to tackle tax reform. Most corporate groups say they support tax reform, but every tax break has a supporter prepared to fight to keep it in place. (The Hill)
• OMB Scorecards related to agency implementation of sustainability policies are not an effective transparency tool or means of informing the public, according to a new paper published by an American University professor in conjunction with the IBM Center for the Business of Government. (Fierce Government)

• Herman Cain has asked a lawyer to investigate reports that he might have used a tax-exempt charity to help his presidential campaign get started. The charity was started by Cain's chief and deputy chief of staff. (Yahoo/AP)
• A former aid to Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) has launched the YG Action Fund PAC. The PAC will promote the "center-right" ideals of the Young Guns movement that Cantor helped launch. (Roll Call $)
• A pro-Rick Perry super PAC has its first ads up in South Carolina and Iowa. They are spending nearly $400,000 on their first salvo. (Politico)

Happy Halloween! Here is Monday's look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events. News Roundup: Government

• The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency held its 14th annual awards ceremony last week, honoring a broad range of watchdogs. (Federal Times)
• A new report outlines factors agencies should consider when developing mobile websites and apps, finding that agencies frequently put too much focus on getting apps online at the expense of ensuring that users have a successful experience using them. (GovTech)
• The Obama Administration is seeking an independent audit of the Energy Department loans made to the failed company Solyndra, while the Republican-led House Energy Committee has threatened to subpoena related White House records. (iWatch News)