Blog: The Fine Print / posts by Gavin Baker
DATA Act Passes House, Moves on to Senate
Apr 25, 2012 by Gavin Baker
Today, the House passed the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act, or DATA Act (H.R. 2146), by a voice vote with strong bipartisan support. The bill to strengthen the transparency of federal government spending was sponsored by Oversight and Government Reform committee chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and ranking member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and 13 other representatives.
read in full
Take Action to Shine a Light on Public Officials' Financial Dealings
Apr 10, 2012 by Gavin Baker
Last week, President Obama signed the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, or STOCK Act — a historic piece of open government legislation. OMB Watch staff were there to see it happen and were pleased to witness an important transparency policy becoming law. In moments like this, we realize that our hard work and dedication are paying off!
read in full
A Look at Transparency in the 21st Century
Mar 21, 2012 by Gavin Baker
This afternoon, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's technology subcommittee will host a hearing on using technology to improve transparency under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The hearing will also be an opportunity to examine the Obama administration's performance on implementing FOIA.
read in full
Standing Up for Credit Card Customers' Right to Know
Jan 31, 2012 by Gavin Baker
Yesterday, the comment period ended on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) proposal to create an online database of customer complaints about credit card companies. Here's an update on where things stand:
read in full
House "Megabus" Contains Modest Boost to E-Gov Fund
Dec 15, 2011 by Gavin Baker
Late Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee released its proposed "megabus" spending bill, packaging the nine appropriations bills that have not yet been completed for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012. The House and Senate have been in negotiations to finish the nine bills before a stopgap spending bill expires on Friday.
read in full
Open Government Leaders Support Funding for Key Transparency Initiatives
Nov 16, 2011 by Gavin Baker
OMB Watch and the Sunlight Foundation today released an open letter to the U.S. Senate supporting continued funding for the Electronic Government Fund's important transparency projects. The letter echoes the Obama administration's policy statement issued Nov. 10.
read in full
National Archives Launches Initial CUI Registry
Nov 4, 2011 by Gavin Baker
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) today launched the initial registry of controlled unclassified information (CUI) categories that agencies can use to safeguard sensitive but unclassified information. President Obama called for the registry in his executive order on CUI, which he signed one year ago today.
read in full
EPA Scientific Integrity Proposal Missing Critical Elements
Sep 7, 2011 by Gavin Baker
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft scientific integrity policy is missing critical elements needed to effectively safeguard science at the agency, OMB Watch said in comments filed yesterday. The policy must be improved if the agency is to ensure that the best science informs policy decisions that affect the health and environmental quality of all Americans.
read in fullHow to Strengthen Transparency in the U.S. Open Government Plan
Sep 1, 2011 by Gavin Baker
Yesterday, OMB Watch submitted its recommendations for the Obama administration's national plan for the Open Government Partnership (OGP). The administration will unveil its plan, with new concrete commitments to increase transparency, at the international OGP meeting on Sept. 20.
read in fullNOAA Takes Lead on Protecting Scientific Integrity
Aug 22, 2011 by Gavin Baker
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) efforts to protect scientific integrity make the agency a leader among its federal counterparts, OMB Watch said in comments filed last week.
read in full
