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2day in #OpenGov 1/23/2012

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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)
Lobbying
  • 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)

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2Day in #OpenGov 1/20/2012

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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)

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2Day in #OpenGov 1/19/2012

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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 $)

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