From the Sunlight Foundation:
It looks like C-SPAN is now publishing a new index of its House and Senate floor proceedings — The C-SPAN Congressional Chronicle. According to them the video recordings are matched with the text of the Congressional Record as soon as the Record is available. It only includes members who appeared on the [...]
Archive of entries posted on September 2007
C-SPAN Makes Video More Available
California Public records law fix may have to wait until ‘08
From the Salinas Californian:
The latest drive to strengthen the state’s public records law has slipped off the main track and may be stalled for the year.
Assembly Bill 1393 would require state agencies to post information on their Web sites about how to request public records and to include a form to submit.
But the bill was [...]
New E-Gov Site Provides Public With Latest Info on Trade Agreements
TradeAgreements.gov is an interagency effort by the United States Government to provide the public with the latest information on America’s trade agreements. A joint effort between the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, State, Treasury and the Office of the United States Trade Representative, this site will be regularly updated with news about existing agreements, as well [...]
Fair Use in the U.S. Economy
Fair Use in the U.S. Economy – Economic Contribution of Industries Relying on Fair Use, September 2007 (45 pages, PDF)
Numerous studies have promoted the first half of the copyright equation – the value of copyrighted works, sometimes referred to as the “Copyright Economy” – but have overlooked the second part: the value that the U.S. [...]
California state budget bad news for public libraries
From the Contra Costa Times:
The 2007-08 state budget is bad news for public libraries. Two major library programs suffered significant cuts, apparently in an effort to accomplish a budget with zero deficit. In Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s words: “I am deleting the discretionary $1 million legislative augmentation to the Public Library Foundation. … In addition, I [...]
Tennessee Nuclear Fuel Problems Kept Secret
From the Guardian:
In 2004, the government became so concerned about releasing nuclear secrets that the commission removed more than 1,740 documents from its public archive – even some that apparently involved basic safety violations at the company, which operates a 65-acre gated complex in tiny Erwin, about 120 miles north of Knoxville.
Congressmen and environmental groups [...]
Comments Sought on Internet Access to Some Criminal Case File Documents
Federal Judiciary Press Release:
The federal Judiciary is seeking comment on the privacy and security implications related to public Internet access to certain documents in criminal case files.
The Court Administration and Case Management Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States is studying these issues so the Conference can develop policy guidance for the federal [...]
New CRS Report: Congress and the Internet
From Open CRS (August 29, 2007):
The relationship between Congress and the Internet is complex and multifaceted. Today, scores of technology measures are introduced in the House and Senate, influencing the work of nearly all congressional committees and Members and spawning the growth of a new array of interest groups. The Internet’s influence is evident within [...]
For China’s Censors, Electronic Offenders Are the New Frontier
From the Washington Post:
. . . But party censors are now turning to China’s booming Internet and cellphone networks with particular vigor. Given the easy access to technologies such as text messaging, censors have found it difficult to keep a grip on information.
Pet Projects’ Veil Is Only Partly Lifted
From the Washington Post:
In the wake of last year’s controversy over the Alaskan “bridge to nowhere” and other notorious legislated programs, Democrats in Congress have made “earmark” into an epithet — the E-word that they are reluctant to say aloud. But the taboo has not stopped either Democrats or Republicans from continuing to seek these [...]