National News

• The government shutdown is blocking significant sets of economic data that often inform debate in Washington and could prove helpful as members try to find a way out of the current impasse. (Washington Times)
• Buck McKeon (R-CA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has a long history getting money from defense contractors and this quarter was no different. McKeon received bundles of cash from two defense executives. His campaign also paid his wife, who has benefited from defense industry largess during her own foray's into politics, more than $15,000.  (Roll Call)
• Although the potential repeal of a tax on medical devices became a talking point in the lead up to the government shutdown, the Medical Device Manufacturers Association, which represents smaller companies, wasn't working the issue any harder than usual over the past few months, spending $90,000 on lobbying during the 3rd quarter. Meanwhile AvaMed, counting many larger companies as members, ramped up its spending slightly over the past year. (Roll Call)

• Canada is expanding its successful FOI web portal. The site, which enables online filing requests and electronic payment of fees, launched as a pilot program in April with three departments and will be expanded to cover 16 more over the next six months. (Calgary Herald)
• Some estimates indicate that a new open data initiative in Denmark may save the government over $45 million per year and be worth more than $85 million to the private sector. (Geospatial.blogs.com)

• Open Twin Cities, who has been using public data, and pushing for more, in the Minneapolis- Saint Paul area, recently became an official Code for America Brigade. Along with E-Democracy, a non-profit with similar ideals, the group is planning an unconference next month. (Minnesota Public Radio)
• We occasionally cover the bubbling open data rivalry between San Francsisco, but it turns out the two California cities compete over plenty of other things. (National Journal)

National News

• The government shut down is terrible for transparency and journalism, with massive amounts of government data unavailable. (National Journal)
• A member of the House of Representatives wants lobbyists to shut down too. David Cicilline (D-RI) is circulating a letter urging Speaker John Boehner to restrict access to the Capitol to registered lobbyists as long as the government is shut down. (POLITICO)
• Two tech industry associations sent a letter to the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight board urging the body to examine transparency and oversight measures related to surveillance programs. Unfortunately, the government shutdown has forced the PCLOB to cancel an upcoming hearing and limit operations. (The Hill)
• Sean McCutcheon, the lead plaintiff in a high profile campaign finance case before the Supreme Court, exceeded existing campaign contribution limits in 2012 while donating to the Alabama Republican Party. The case in front of the Supreme Court centers around limits to the total amount individuals can donate to Federal candidates, parties, and PACs. (Public Integrity)

• The Peruvian Congress recently passed a new, harsh, computer crime law with no public input and minimal debate.  (Tech Dirt)
• The European Court of Justice is expected to issue a final ruling on an important legislative transparency case this month. The case, brought by Access Info, centers around the release of information about legislative negotiations in the Council of the EU with member state names redacted. (Access-Info)
• Asia has vast gulfs between its digital have's and have nots, creating interesting problems as the region moves towards more open data. The continent has more internet users than any other region in the world, but getting reliable, usable data from all 49 countries will prove challenging.  (Open Knowledge Blog)

• Local open data is taking hold with our neighbors to the North. The Canadian municipality of York approved a "comprehensive Open Data programme" after a year long pilot program was deemed successful. (Future Gov)