Transparency

May 20, 2008 -- John McCain says "[e]thics and transparency are not election year buzz words; they are the obligations of democracy and the duties of honorable public service." Yet his top campaign advisors have no problem lying about their lobbying records. Their excuse? Americans don't care--something McCain has yet to say if he agrees with. [johnmccain.com, accessed 5/19/08]    » read more »

May 19, 2008 -- Editorial pages around the country are weighing on the McCain campaign's hypocrisy on tax returns and transparency. Despite his efforts to craft an image as a champion of transparency in government, Senator McCain refuses to apply those standards of accountability and openness to himself.

John and Cindy McCain: Photo by Steph (CC)

In addition to releasing just two years of his own tax returns--far less than any party nominee since Ronald Reagan in 1980--the McCain campaign is refusing to release Mrs. McCain's tax returns, even if she becomes First Lady.    » read more »

May 19, 2008 -- John McCain says he wants to "[s]top the revolving door" of lobbyists in Washington. But if his campaign is any indication, lobbyists would play a central role in a McCain Administration. McCain's campaign is being run by lobbyists, many of whom lobbied for industries or foreign governments McCain has talked about on the campaign trail.

John McCain's "Straight Talk Express": Photo by Rich McGervey (CC)    » read more »

May 15, 2008 -- John McCain will say today that his "administration will set a new standard for transparency and accountability." Yet throughout his run for president, his own campaign has been anything but transparent and highlights just how hypocritical this promise is.

John and Cindy McCain: Photo by Jason Means (CC)    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- The John McCain campaign's decision to withhold Cindy McCain's tax returns is drawing criticism from across the political spectrum. This morning, editorials in both the Washington Post and Washington Times echoed calls for the McCain campaign to release Cindy McCain's tax returns.

John and Cindy McCain: Photo by Chris Dunn (CC)

This follows a column in yesterday's New York Observer that blasts McCain for his hypocrisy on disclosure, noting that Mrs. McCain's corporate jet "has been flying him and his entourage of lobbyists around the country at bargain rates."    » read more »

April 23, 2008 -- Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that her department is posting detailed spending information online to encourage greater openness in government.

Land's initiative marks the first time that a Michigan government agency has provided such detail on its Web site.

"Government's business is the people's business," Land said. "Taxpayers deserve full disclosure of how their dollars are used. That's why we're shining a spotlight on the department's spending. Our goal is to provide meaningful, easily accessible information in a consistent format. We're pleased to strengthen the connection between taxpayers and their government through technology."    » read more »

March 19, 2008 -- Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff wants to let some sunshine in on government records and meetings. The Attorney General’s Office has created “The Open Book,” a 27-page pocket-sized handbook to help answer questions on open records and open meetings.

“The Open Book is my commitment to the idea that open government is better government,” Shurtleff wrote in the preface. “It is my hope that The Open Book will help everyone make sure the public’s business is conducted in public.”

The Open Book has a simple question and answer format designed to help journalists, public officials and ordinary citizens. The handbook answers questions like:

● Can a meeting be held without people being in the same room?    » read more »

First Time Ever an Elected Official Named Chair of Weeklong Series of Events Focused on Openness in Government

Cuomo, Recognized for Ongoing Efforts to Restore Public Integrity in Government, Urges All Public Officials to Work toward Government Transparency

ALBANY, NY (March 19, 2008) – The New York Press Association has named New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo the Honorary New York State Chairman of Sunshine Week in recognition of his ongoing advocacy and initiatives for openness and transparency in government.    » read more »

March 19, 2008 -- LANSING − Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox celebrated Sunshine Week by calling on state legislators and the Governor to move quickly to pass and sign legislation creating a free, publicly searchable database listing all state government expenditures, including all contracts and grants.

"The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Open Meetings Act (OMA) allow citizens to access records and the proceedings of government," Cox said. "Transparency in public expenditures is the FOIA and OMA of the 21st Century. We need more sunshine in how Michigan's tax dollars are being spent."    » read more »

Statement of Joan Claybrook, President, Public Citizen

March 18, 2008 -- An open and accountable government is a cornerstone of our democracy. As Americans, it is our right and our duty to know how government operates; transparency is one of the great checks we have against corruption and tyranny. Yet, during the past seven years, President Bush has gone to extremes to keep the workings of his administration in the shadows, away from public scrutiny.    » read more »

March 17, 2008 -- Jefferson City, Mo. — The observance of Sunshine Week during March 16-22 should remind Missouri citizens and government officials that the business of government needs to be open as much as possible, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon said today. This year also marks the 35th anniversary of Missouri’s Open Meetings and Records Law, commonly known as the Sunshine Law.    » read more »

March 14, 2008 -- (Washington, DC) - House Judiciary Committe Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) delivered the following remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today regarding H.R. 3773, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008:

Mr. Speaker, there are few rights that are more fundamental to our democracy than the right to privacy. And there are few responsibilities that are more important than the government protecting us from foreign threats.    » read more »

March 13, 2008 -- John McCain says "[a]ccountability and transparency are the pillars of essential reform" and that he will fight to make government more transparent as president. But on the campaign trail, McCain refuses to answer questions about his own role in steering a $35 billion tanker deal to a European defense contractor--a deal that will outsource 44,000 American jobs to Europe. [johnmccain.com, accessed 3/12/08]    » read more »

Snowe-Feinstein-Levin Passed Legislation would Close the “Enron Loophole”

March 12, 2008 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.) called on Senate leaders to include legislation to strengthen regulation of energy trading in the Farm Bill reauthorization conference agreement. The Senate passed similar legislation co-sponsored by Senators Feinstein, Levin and Snowe as part of the Farm Bill in December of 2007 that would increase federal oversight authority to detect and prevent manipulation in U.S.    » read more »

March 12, 2008 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley is thanking members of a House committee today for approving a public disclosure bill that is part of his legislative agenda.

The bill approved by the House Government Operations Committee today requires governors to do what Governor Riley has been doing since he came into office in 2003 - posting all governor’s office flight logs and contingency fund expenditures on the Internet. The bill, HB 158, is sponsored by Representative Mac McCutcheon.    » read more »