News rater, anti-Palin group win government contracts

The federal government hired a New Orleans man for $18,000 to appraise whether news stories about its actions during the Gulf oil spill were positive or negative for the Obama administration. September 15, 2010 By The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The administration was keenly sensitive to comparisons between its response and former President George W. [...]

Supreme Court asked to decide whether White House has right to exclude critics from public speeches

The Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether all Americans, including the president’s critics, have a right to attend his public speeches, or whether the White House retains the right to screen out dissenters. McClatchy-Tribune September 1, 2010 By David G. Savage WASHINGTON – While the current administration says it does not screen out [...]

Bauer to assume ethics, transparency responsibilities

White House Counsel Robert Bauer will assume responsibilities for lobbying, transparency, government reform and a host of other government operations issues once White House ethics adviser Norman Eisen departs for his new role as ambassador to the Czech Republic, senior administration officials confirmed Friday. The Washington Post August 6, 2010 By Ed O’Keefe The move [...]

Details of D.C. tech office investigation released

The District’s technology office is overly reliant on contractors, too eager to award jobs to under-qualified local businesses and not nearly aggressive enough in its monitoring of their work, setting up a system that is easily defrauded and wastes piles of taxpayer dollars, a new report finds. The D.C. Council’s investigation of procurement practices at [...]

White House unveils system to create online identities

A new White House Campaign aims to streamline online transaction processes by creating online identities for the public. The system is focused on combating identity theft. But access groups are watching to see if system circumvents public access to information, including government-held records. -SMD Internet News July 2, 2010 By Mara Zimmerman The White House [...]