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

News Roundup:

• The Washington Post looked at the Minerals Management Service’s ties to the oil an gas industry. (The Washington Post) (related documents)
• Government Executive looked at an effort by the White House to make federal contracts more transparent. (Government Executive)
• OMB Watch looked at a global conference aimed at bringing transparency to the issue of development aid. (OMB Watch)
• A loophole in Minnesota’s campaign contribution disclosure law allowed an anti-same-sex marriage organization to skirt disclosure requirements. (The Washington Independent)
• A recent disclosure report shows that MasterCard Inc. spent $2.33 million during the second quarter of FY2010 to lobby the federal government over financial regulation legislation. (The Washington Post)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 8/25:

• None

Relevant bills introduced:

• None

Transparency events scheduled for 8/25:

• None

Here is a look at what happened yesterday on the Sunlight network.

• Laurenellen McCann explained how you can find out what government information is available on transparency issues. (Sunlight Foundation Blog)
• Party Time looked at the fundraising efforts of some candidates in last night’s Republican primaries. (Party Time)
• Take a look at the previous day’s transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency related events. (The Open House Project)

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

News Roundup:

• The Washington Post has an interactive table detailing the spending of political parties and interest groups on the 2010 midterm elections. (The Washington Post)
• USA Today looked at the money interest groups have spent on campaign ads this year. (USA Today)
• OpenSecrets looked at the money spent by both sides of the climate change legislation debate. (OpenSecrets)
• Fox News parent company News Corp. is not the only media company that has made significant political donations. (OpenSecrets)
• Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) said that he does not believe Citizens United will undermine his re-election efforts. (The Huffington Post)
• The New Yorker profiled the billionaire Koch family and its history of funding conservative causes. (The New Yorker)
• An Interior Department probe found that a federal regulator took gifts from an oil company and misused travel funds. (The Huffington Post)
• The Washington Independent and OMB Watch pushed back on the idea that the IRS can oversee independent expenditures by nonprofit groups. (The Washington Independent) (OMB Watch)
• A recent survey found that while users of government websites value transparency, federal agencies are not making it a high enough priority. (Government Technology)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 8/24:

• None

Relevant bills introduced:

• None

Transparency events scheduled for 8/24:

• None

Here is a look at what happened yesterday on the Sunlight network.

• Sarah Dorsey looked at how Colorado is trying to put state data online. (Sunlight Foundation Reporting Group)
• Take a look at the previous day’s transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency related events. (The Open House Project)

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

News Roundup:

• Citizens United has shifted the burden of determining which groups must disclose their donors from the FEC to the IRS. (The Washington Post) (Mother Jones)
• The Washington Post editorialized against the increasing prominence of money in judicial elections. (The Washington Post)
• A statement released by the FEC highlights the growing leniency the agency applies to the enforcement of disclosure rules. (The Washington Independent) (OMB Watch)
• USA Today updated its landmark story on how the Defense Department coves the conflicts of interest of retired generals on the agency’s payroll. (USA Today) (Project On Government Oversight)
• The FedBlog looked back at the White House’s web presence during the Clinton administration. (FedBlog)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 8/23-8/27:

• None

Relevant bills introduced:

• None

Transparency events scheduled for 8/23-8/27:

• None

Here is a look at what happened last Friday on the Sunlight network.

• Ryan Sibley looked at Rep. Kendrick Meek’s (D-FL) spending efforts to be the Democratic candidate for Florida’s open Senate seat in November. (Sunlight Foundation Reporting Group)
• Take a look at the previous day’s transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency related events. (The Open House Project)

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

News Roundup:

• The Citizens United decision is playing a major role in the new campaign contribution landscape heading into the midterm elections. (Politico) (Roll Call)($)
• OpenSecrets took a look at the conservative group run by Karl Rove and former RNC Chair Ed Gillespie that is a pioneer in taking advantage of the post-Citizens United campaign finance system. (OpenSecrets)
• Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay defended himself against corruption charges and bemoaned the “criminalization of politics.” (The Washington Post) (The Hill)
• The National Review profiled House Transparency Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA). (The National Review)
• Rep. Ed Markey is demanding that the White House release data on how much oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill is in the Gulf of Mexico. (National Journal)($)
• The New York Times editorialized against the use of secrets holds in the Senate. (The New York Times)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 8/20:

• None

Relevant bills introduced:

• None

Transparency events scheduled for 8/20:

• None

Here is a look at what happened yesterday on the Sunlight network.

• Daniel Schuman looked at the hidden messages behind anagrams of the names of notable political and media figures. (Sunlight Foundation Blog)
• Scott Stadum explained how live streaming video can be used to promote transparency online. (Sunlight Foundation Blog)
• Ryan Sibley looked at how Minnesota’s contribution disclosure laws allowed Target’s campaign donation to a conservative political group to come to light. (Sunlight Foundation Reporting Group)
• New House Ways and Means Chair Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) is now seeing more contributions from business and tax lobbyists. (Party Time)
• Take a look at the previous day’s transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency related events. (The Open House Project)

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

News Roundup:

• The Washington Post discussed at the backlash from Target’s campaign donation to a politician who opposes same-sex marriage and the role Citizens United played in it. (The Washington Post)
• In an editorial, the New York Times argued that the Target controversy shows the need for public disclosure of campaign financing. (The New York Times)
• The Washington Post looked at the lobbying activities of universities and colleges. (The Washington Post)
• The Washington Post also looked at Rep. Darrell Issa’s (R-CA) report on government propaganda. (The Washington Post)
• The Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board has published a white paper (PDF) detailing the creation of Recovery.gov. (Federal News Radio)
• The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has launched an online and telephone hotline for ethics whistleblowers. (The Hill)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 8/19:

• None

Relevant bills introduced:

• None

Transparency events scheduled for 8/19:

• None

Here is a look at what happened yesterday on the Sunlight network.

• John Wonderlich ran through three transparency-related issues that are good for state-level grassroots organizing. (Sunlight Foundation Blog)
• Paul Blumenthal discussed our dysfunctional campaign finance system and why it’s so hard to prove a link between campaign contributions and favorable actions by lawmakers. (Sunlight Foundation Blog)
• Keenan Steiner looked at a fundraiser for Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) at Martha’s Vineyard, a common fundraising destination for Democrats. (Party Time)
• Take a look at the previous day’s transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency related events. (The Open House Project)