Since the last time we wrote about the DOJ’s newly proposed FOIA regulations, as part of signing on to EPIC’s... View Article
Continue readingSunlight Weekly Roundup: “anytime you have an entity that receives state dollars, there should be transparency”
Following the Penn State child sexual abuse scandal, lawmakers want to strip state-related institutions’ exemption from Pennsylvania’s right-to-know law. State... View Article
Continue reading2Day in #OpenGov 11/18/2011
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
- Henry Waxman (D-CA), ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced an amendment to an FCC reform bill aimed at making the agency more transparent. If passed, the FCC would have to post consumer complaints about communications companies online on a monthly basis. (National Journal)
- Spencer Bachus (R-AL), chairman of the House Financial Services, will hold hearings on the STOCK act. The act is aimed at curbing insider trading by members of Congress. Bachus has recently faced allegations of improper trading. (Politico)
- The FEC issued an advisory opinion approving GivingSphere's plan to collect and distribute funds to candidates, committees, and PACs via their mobile-based giving platform. Currently, GivingSphere focuses on charitable donations. (Lobby Comply)
- VoterTide collects and presents data on the performance of political candidates on various social media networks. (Lobby Comply)
- The 15 freshman members of the Tea Party Caucus are turning to the usual suspects when seeking campaign cash. Combined, they have raised almost $3.5 million from almost 700 PACs, including many traditional Republican supporters. (iWatchNews)
- Labor groups have been giving less money than usual to members of Congress this cycle and a higher percentage of their donations are going to Republicans. (Politico)
- Charles County, MD has passed an ethics ordinance as mandated by the state, but not before removing an amendment that would have added stricter campaign finance and reporting requirements. The county commission plans to take up campaign finance and reporting in the future. (Lobby Comply)
- A judge has ordered Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie to release a list of state supreme court nominees proposed by the state's Judicial Selection Commission. Abercrombie had argued that releasing the list would deter potential judges from seeking nomination. (Courthouse News)
Tools for Transparency: 10 Tools You Might Have Missed
It’s been a while since I’ve posted a round-up of the latest Tools for Transparency posts. Take a look at... View Article
Continue readingBe Very Wary of the STOCK Act
Since the 60 Minutes expose on insider trading, the STOCK Act (HR 1148)has gained enormous steam in both the House... View Article
Continue reading2Day in #OpenGov 11/17/2011
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: Presidential Candidates
- Newt Gingrich earned more than $1.6 million from Freddie Mac during the height of the housing crisis. He claims that he never lobbied for the company, but did not address reports that he was tasked with building bridges to congressional Republicans and developing an argument in favor of Freddie Mac's public-private structure that would resonate with conservatives. (National Journal)
- A new ad from a pro Jon Huntsman Super PAC illustrates the close ties that exist between candidates and the "independent" committees supporting them. Our Destiny PAC's chief strategist helped create some of Huntsman's earliest commercials and may have violated the FEC's 120 day "cooling off" period before leaving the Huntsman campaign to work for the PAC. (Washington Post)
- Vice President Biden will be attending a meeting of the Government Accountability and Transparency board today. The meeting is closed to the press. (Politico)
- Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) reports that Congress has been shirking its oversight responsibilities. Coburn also criticized potential cuts to the Government Accountability Office, which is trying to maintain its pace of investigations with fewer resources. (Washington Times)
- Opinion: the upcoming Supreme Court arguments on health-care reform are a prime opportunity to start allowing cameras in the courtroom and televising proceedings. (Miller-McCune)
- A Philadelphia law requiring lobbyist registration will go into effect on January 3, 2012. (Lobby Comply)
More Secrecy for Private Jet Owners
Why is Congress trying to make it harder to see where private jets are flying? Deep in the embattled FAA... View Article
Continue readingA Year Later, Little Progress on Digitizing Legislative Documents
A year ago today, Congress’ Joint Committee on Printing directed that three sets of vital legislative and legal documents be... View Article
Continue readingCongress Should Step Away from the Internet
About that black bar… If you’re reading this post on our website, you might have noticed the black bar covering... View Article
Continue reading2Day in #OpenGov 11/16/2011
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
- The GPO has released its first mobile application. The app aims to provide the public with quick, easy access to information on members of Congress and is based on the GPO's guide to House and Senate members. (FDLP News)
- Judicial Watch released emails that show Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan discussing President Obama's healthcare law when she was Solicitor General. Judicial Watch suggests that Kagan should recuse herself from court decisions relating to the law, but if she did not discuss its constitutionality it might not be necessary. (Washington Post)
- The House Ethics Committee is on the verge of deciding if they will formally investigate allegations that Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill) improperly tried to obtain President Obama's Senate seat. (The Hill)
- Former Rep. Zach Space (D-Ohio) has joined Vorys Advisors. The consulting firm is led by David Hobson (R), another former member of Congress from Ohio. (Roll Call $)
- Rumors that the Super Committee might target tax deductions has lobbyists preparing for battle. If a plan is sent to Congress major lobbying groups are expected to launch campaigns to save their preferred deductions. (The Hill)
- A new report shows that chairman and ranking members accept large amounts of money from industries under the purview of their committees. (Roll Call $)
- Wayne County, Michigan hopes to have a comprehensive ethics ordinance in place by February. The ordinance aims to set enhanced standards for official conduct and improve disclosure requirements. (Lobby Comply)
- The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board released a memo concerning electronic filing of campaign reports. Electronic filing will be mandatory in Minnesota for most committees in the 2012 calendar year. (Lobby Comply)
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