Here is Wednesday’s look at transparency-related news items, today’s congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress yesterday, and transparency-related events being held today.

News roundup:

• Check out the winners of the Sunlight Foundation’s Design for America contest. (Government Bits) (CivSource)
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce claims that the DISCLOSE Act favors labor unions. (The Hill)
• An Interior Department report shows that Minerals Management Service officials took gifts from businesses that the agency was supposed to be regulating. (The Washington Post)
• A Government Accountability Office audit most federal courthouse built this decade are too big. (The Washington Post)
• A Government Accountability Office audit shows that the General Services Administration needs to improve its data collection in regards to it’s Multiple Award Schedules program. (Nextgov)
• A Center for Technology in Government study details eight necessary elements for the suspenseful use of social media by the government. (Government Technology)
• In advance of the 2010 midterm elections, lobbyists are “cozying up” to House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH). (Roll Call)($)
• Rep. Boehner has asked Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN) to strip all GOP earmarks from a water resources bill. (Roll Call)($)
• Despite Democratic gains in recent election cycles, Republicans still head most business lobbying organizations. (Roll Call)($)
• John Mercurio takes a look at Google’s lobbying strategy. (National Journal)($)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 5/26:

• None

Relevant bills introduced 5/25:

Senate:

• None

House:

• A bill to require motor vehicle safety standards relating to vehicle electronics and to reauthorize and provide greater transparency, accountability, and safety authority to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 5381

Transparency events scheduled for 5/26:

• None