Boehner's Big Gift to the Drug Industry

Joanne Doroshow, 11.05.2009

Executive Director, Center for Justice & Democracy

It's always fun to see what politicians try to bury in fine print. Take, for example, the several hundred-page House Republican health care bill introduced by Mr. Boehner Of Ohio.

ProPublica's Unofficial Guide to Recovery.gov

ProPublica, 11.02.2009

America's largest investigative newsroom

By Michael Grabell, Jennifer LaFleur, Amanda Michel and Christopher Flavelle, ProPublica. When the nearly $800 billion economic stimulus package pas...

Civil Society Sounds Off on IFC Policies in Istanbul

Chad Dobson, 10.28.2009

Executive Director of the Bank Information Center (BIC).

One German participant summarized: "The IFC places all of the burden of environmental and social safeguards on the client ... The whole world is re-regulating and you should too."

Longmont Elections Show Need for Transparency

Michael D. Brown, 10.23.2009

Former Under Secretary, Homeland Security

Drama is playing out in Longmont, where campaign laws thought to prevent corruption by limiting expenditures and contributions is instead corrupting free speech.

Transparency on Trial?

Dennis Whittle, 10.22.2009

CEO of GlobalGiving

...

Are Sovereign Ratings a Legacy of Colonialism?

Georges Ugeux, 10.16.2009

Chairman and CEO, Galileo Global Advisors

Over decades, the rating agencies have imposed their sovereign ratings as the yardstick for investors in securities issued by "sovereign" issuers, i.e...

Obama Administration Opens Up More of Government

Craig Newmark, 10.07.2009

Founder of Craigslist

Okay, the deal is that we now have a federal government that wants to show you how things work, no interest in covering things up -- ultimately showing everyone how the sausage is made and where the money goes.

California Data Camp & DataSF App Contest

Craig Newmark, 10.01.2009

Founder of Craigslist

The first California Data Camp & DataSF App Contest will be held on November 7, 2009. The one day gathering is open to developers, journalists, co...

Serious Civics Apps a Big Deal in San Francisco

Craig Newmark, 09.26.2009

Founder of Craigslist

People are using the Net for civic purposes in increasing numbers for all sorts of useful stuff. Now, the City of San Francisco has a civic apps store.

Technology + Transparency = New Politics

Jose Antonio Vargas, 11.10.2009

Technology and Innovations editor, Huffington Post

Technology + Transparency = New Politics. In other words, technology allows for transparency which leads to a new kind of people-powered politics.

Congress' Tech-Oriented Growth Spurt

Ellen Miller, 09.23.2009

Co-founder and Executive Director of the Sunlight Foundation.

Three years ago, those using the Web for transparency likely registered around zero. But in the intervening years, Congress has adapted to the Internet at incredible speed.

MTA Accountability

Gene Russianoff, 09.18.2009

Staff attorney and chief spokesman for the Straphangers Campaign for NYPIRG

Eight leading civic groups sent a letter to Gov. Paterson in support of legislation creating oversight for the MTA budget. Let's hope he listens.

Keep Ethics Commission Business in the Sunshine

Luis Toro, 09.16.2009

Senior Counsel for Colorado Ethics Watch

Why is the Ethics Commission so concerned about having to operate in the public eye that it is considering going to the legislature to ask for a special exemption from the sunshine laws?

More progress in Washington towards accountability, two major exceptions

Craig Newmark, 09.26.2009

Founder of Craigslist

Government accountability requires campaign finance data disclosure in electronic, searchable, online form, easily accessed as a database. This is easily done using current Web tech.

Government Uses Commercial Email and Texting to Avoid FOIA Laws

Peter Scheer, 09.21.2009

lawyer, writer and advocate for 1st Amendment rights

Many elected officials have become proficient at using technology to thwart public access to government. Why not, instead, use technology to enhance transparency and accountability?

Stimulus Transparency: Who Ensures the Numbers Are Right?

ProPublica, 09.17.2009

America's largest investigative newsroom

When Obama introduced the stimulus, he made a promise of transparency: Every American will be able to see how we spend taxpayer dollars. Like so many noble ideas, that may be easier said than done.

Is Health Care Reform About to Go the Way of No Child Left Behind?

Arianna Huffington, 09.10.2009

The White House may be willing to cave on drug price negotiations and having a public option. Giving us health care reform without those key ingredients is like serving a PBJ sandwich without the peanut butter or the jelly.

Obama's Second Hundred Days

Chris Weigant, 09.06.2009

Author, Political Commentator, and Blogger (ChrisWeigant.com)

Our look back at Obama's second 100 days will begin with a short overview, and then move on to the categories: "the best of times," "the worst of times," and "the age of (media) foolishness."

The Senate Hates Young People and Trees...

Jake Brewer, 09.05.2009

Engagement Director for the Sunlight Foundation

S.482 is the lowest of low-hanging fruit, and it's time the Senate picked this one off and let us move on to even more pressing transparency issues.

Financial Reforms: Is Europe Hypocritical?

Georges Ugeux, 09.05.2009

Chairman and CEO, Galileo Global Advisors

European bank losses were as high as the U.S. They used the same compensation system, and their fragmented and ineffective regulatory system shares responsibility for the crisis.

A Few Thoughts About President Obama's Birthday, the Need for Disclosure, and Transparency

Carol M. Swain, 09.03.2009

Political Analyst, Professor of Political Science and Law at Vanderbilt University

Once a person becomes the President of the United States, in my humble opinion he or she should belong to the people; therefore, the ordinary rights of privacy should no longer apply.