Blog: The Fine Print / posts by Gavin Baker
Obama Administration Reaches Plea Deal with NSA Whistleblower
Jun 10, 2011 by Gavin Baker
The Obama administration agreed to drop its controversial Espionage Act case against former National Security Agency (NSA) employee Thomas Drake, according to reports yesterday. Instead, Drake will plead guilty to exceeding authorized use of a computer, a misdemeanor. The deal calls for no jail time or fine, with up to one year of probation.
Financial Stability Oversight Council Proposes FOIA Regulations
Jun 1, 2011 by Gavin Baker
The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) has proposed regulations to implement the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The council was created by the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to monitor risks to the financial system.
read in fullCongress Extends Patriot Act, No New Oversight
May 27, 2011 by Gavin Baker
Congress voted yesterday to extend three expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act until June 2015 without adopting any new oversight or transparency provisions. President Obama has signed the bill.
read in fullSpying Without Oversight is a Compromise?
May 19, 2011 by Gavin Baker
Congressional leaders have agreed to extend key provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act until June 2015, according to reports today. The extension will not include reforms.
read in fullNew Executive Order Could Improve Government Websites
May 18, 2011 by Gavin Baker
On April 27, President Obama signed Executive Order 13571, entitled "Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service." Building on a Clinton-era order, E.O. 13571 requires agencies to develop plans to make their customer service more efficient and effective. Agencies have to publish their plans online within 180 days.
read in fullHouse Panel Advances Patriot Act Extension, Without Reforms
May 13, 2011 by Gavin Baker
The House Judiciary Committee yesterday voted to reauthorize key provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. The committee also rejected several proposals to reform the controversial provisions of the intelligence law.
read in fullFinally, a Deadline for Scientific Integrity Policies
May 5, 2011 by Gavin Baker
Today, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) announced that it was asking agencies to submit their draft scientific integrity policies within 90 days.
read in fullWhite House Visitor Disclosure is Commendable, But More Left to be Done
May 2, 2011 by Gavin Baker
A House hearing on White House transparency and visitor logs could be an opportunity to focus on an important transparency issue if Congress decides not to play political games instead. Americans deserve to know who influences the government. The records of who meets with top government leaders should be open to the public.
read in fullAgencies Report Progress on Scientific Integrity – in Private
Apr 22, 2011 by Gavin Baker
Thirty agencies have reported on their progress to strengthen scientific integrity, according to a blog post yesterday by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). This week was the deadline to submit those reports, per OSTP director John Holdren's December 2010 memo.
read in fullJustice Department to Revise its FOIA Regulations
Apr 21, 2011 by Gavin Baker
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed to update its regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The regulations would apply to DOJ and its components, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
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