From SLA’s Public Policy blog:
On 4 November 2009, SLA, AALL, and MLA sent a letter to U.S. House of Representatives John Conyers, Jerrold Nadler and Bobby Scott to express support for H.R. 3845, the USA PATRIOT Amendments Act of 2009. This important legislation would protect the privacy of library users by raising the standard for Section 215, the so-called “library provision” of the USA PATRIOT Act.
Read Letter.
From Information Today:
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the American Library Association (ALA) have issued a statement saying they strongly support the USA PATRIOT Amendments Act of 2009. Several provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2009, unless Congress acts to reauthorize them.
From the Electronic Frontier Foundation:
In a Court filing late Friday night, the Obama Administration attempted to dress up in new clothes its embrace of one of the worst Bush Administration positions — that courts cannot be allowed to review the National Security Agency’s massive, well-documented program of warrantless surveillance. In doing so it demonstrated that it will not willingly set limits on its own power and reinforced the need for Congress to step in and reform the so-called ’state secrets’ privilege. The House Judiciary Committee will be taking the first step toward such reform when it begins to consider the State Secret Protection Act of 2009 (HR 984) this Wednesday.
From SLA’s Public Policy blog:
Several organizations, including SLA, sent a letter on 5 November 2009 to President Obama expressing concerns about the lack of transparency and openness surrounding the negotiations on a new Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (“ACTA”).
From OMB Watch:
Twenty groups, including OMB Watch, have sent a letter calling on Congress to include accountability and transparency provisions in any health care reform legislation. Specifically, the groups focused on federal advisory committees – panels that will provide critical advice on health care issues if legislation is passed. The groups represent a wide variety of public interest issues.
From OMB Watch:
Three nonprofit organizations that have been tracking the Recovery Act today called for the Obama administration to overhaul its jobs data system before releasing its first large set of data on Oct. 30.
Based on what they called very disappointing data quality and presentation in the release of a very small amount of federal contracting data yesterday, OMB Watch, Good Jobs First, and the Economic Policy Institute said they are seeking to meet with officials at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board (Recovery Board) to detail the groups’ complaints.
From the White House blog:
Here at the White House, those of us on team Recovery Act put a very high premium on transparency and accountability. Like they say, “sunlight’s the best disinfectant,” and when it comes to tracking the $787 billion economic stimulus plan, our view is that we should let the sunshine in.
Well, today, we’re happy to report that the independent Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board—they’re the folks who bring you www.Recovery.gov—has taken yet another step toward showing the American people their money at work. The board released its very first report on the small portion of Recovery Act spending that recipients have reported on so far, and these preliminary data show that the Act is doing just what it’s supposed to do: helping to put Americans back to work, while partially offsetting the ongoing job market impact of the worst recession in decades.
From The Gov Docs Guy blog:
A new House bill would open Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports to the public. The measure, H.R. 3762, closely mirrors a Senate bill introduced by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) in the spring.
From the Open Internet Blog:
The Internet’s open architecture has enabled this network of networks to become a unparalleled platform for innovation and speech, as well as an enduring engine for economic growth. Last month, I proposed that the FCC adopt a fair and high-level framework to preserve an open Internet.
While my goals are clear, the path to achieving them involves many hard questions about how best to maximize the innovation and investment necessary for a robust and thriving Internet. Getting input from all stakeholders will be important as the Commission begins to address many critical questions. That is why we launched OpenInternet.gov.
We wanted to create a place where people could join the discussion about the open Internet. While OpenInternet.gov is still in Beta, we are encouraged that thousands of visitors have already used the site to watch my speech proposing open Internet principles and more than 500 people have offered comments.
Today, we are expanding the ways people can use OpenInternet.gov to participate in this discussion by launching the site’s blog. Visitors to this blog will be able to find expert commentary from FCC staff on how best to preserve the Internet’s openness and questions that arise during this debate. Our staff hopes to use this forum not only to share ideas but also to receive them. We encourage all visitors to weigh in with their own thoughts and engage in an open dialogue.
From the Guardian:
A few months ago, the mayor of San Francisco met some of the city’s leading technology entrepreneurs. On the surface, it looked like little more than a photo opportunity – a chance for the smooth and ambitious mayor, Gavin Newsom, to smile and glad-hand with Twitter and a string of other hot internet companies. But signs soon emerged that something more fundamental was taking place.