Context essential in helping public understand federal stimulus data

A recent study by the CGI Initiative for Collaborative Government says that the government needs to build a better context for the data on spending from the  federal stimulus package. As it stands the public could seize on isolated information and draw the wrong conclusions. The Obama administration says it is trying to provide more [...]

Feds can’t certify accuracy of stimulus reporting data

An investigation of the government site with reports from stimulus recipients shows that much of the information is not validated and contains numerous errors. -DB

Sunlight Foundation
Commentary
November 18, 2009
By Paul Blumenthal

Recovery.gov is supposed to be a transparency clearing house for information on the federal stimulus spending appropriated in the $787 billion American Recovery and [...]

Not all transparency experts talk trash about Recovery.gov

Some online transparency scholars working outside of Washington, D.C. are encouraged by features of the official Web site of Recovery.gov that tracks stimulus spending saying that they are impressed with the site’s ease of use. The site made its first post of stimulus data on October 15. -DB
NextGov
October 21, 2009
By Aliya Sternstein
Some online transparency scholars who [...]

Watchdog groups say that data from Recovery Board first posting of stimulus data inaccessible

A number of groups are saying that the first online posting of data on stimulus spending was not accessible to the public difficult to search and incomplete. Critics say the site can be improved by making it so that the public can mount a search by recipient. -DB
NextGov
October 15, 2009
By Aliya Sternstein
Government officials in charge of [...]

New recovery transparency czar promises nonpartisan stance

Head of the new stimulus oversight board says there will be times that information posted on Recovery.gov will embarrass bodies receiving stimulous money but promises to conduct thorough monitoring of spending to prevent waste and fraud. -DB
National Journal
July 16, 2009
By John Maggs
After 10 years as inspector general of the Interior Department, Earl Devaney is on leave [...]