Member Posts

Summary of Dem's Plans for Student Loan Reform, from NASFAA, not Lamar!

Eric Lykins — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:14:03 EDT

From the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (link to 3/15 CBO report at that link also):
<blockquote>"The current economic climate creates tough decisions for everyone," said NASFAA President and CEO Joan Crissman. "It is encouraging that Congress continues to make funding student financial aid a top priority in these difficult times."
The reconciliation package is expected to garner widespread support from the higher education community, but higher education associations are waiting to see the final language before offering official positions on the bill. </blockquote>

But Senator Alexander's postion as GOP #3 does not afford him the opportunity to wait for the final language before calling for the repeal of another "government takeover." The Tennesseean:
<blockquote>At two Capitol Hill news conferences, Alexander on Tuesday decried the proposal as another government takeover that would deny choices for students</blockquote>
When are reporters such as BILL THEOBALD • Tennessean Washington Bureau, when given statements such as "deny students choices" by politicians such as Lamar Alexander, going to start asking "WTF does that mean?!"
"He said

Why transparency matters in a democracy

Unknown user — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:46:05 EDT

Whether local, state, or federal; government transparency enables good citizenship and government accountability.
We cannot hold our public officials accountable without knowing what they are doing; knowledge will always trump ignorance.

How much of the daily news are stories and opinions by people with little knowledge, much less expertise in the area they write about? How much are outright fabrication, misdirection, or PR releases?

We all have seen headlines like this: "Senator Joe announced today that 300 new jobs will be created thanks to passage of Bill 23"
Have you ever seen this headline? "Senator Joe announced today that Bill 23 will allow XYZ Corporation to take advantage of cheap local labor and not have to comply with environmental laws"

While government transparency will not generate the second headline, it will allow anyone to see what Bill 23 actually contains. Often officials are afraid that things "may be misconstrued", great opportunity for them to meet with their constituents and explain in plain English what their action does.

Without having to jump through the hoops of requesting public documents or FOIA requests, journalists can write the whole story and citizens can hold their elected officials accountable.

Government secrecy allows waste, abuse, and fraud to flourish.
Transparency is a critical component needed for civic engagement in a Democracy.

#opengov #publicequalsonline

SUNLIGHT IN MASSACHUSETTS BEGINS WITH YOU!

Unknown user — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 22:31:43 EDT

First let me introduce myself. I am J Aldrich and I am part of Comflm Registry News, in Massachusetts. In fact I started it.

I have been working on covering Public Hearings Events and Press Conferences on Beacon Hill for the past 6 years.

I recently found this site and decided to form a group on the North Shore. Thus the name Sunlight North Shore. Simple to the point and is exactly what is needed in this Election year.

I have covered more than 450 events on the Hill. I want Boston to have it's own C Span.
I can offer much in experience as I have been persistent week by week, and this year the smoke started to clear when I discovered the Statehouse is not under public record law. In fact they don't have to tell you when there is a meeting. Transparency needs revisiting in Massachusetts. Because they had it in the 80's but it got removed.

We need this to return. S1458 is my bill which was just put to study. It can still be ressurected however with enought support. Of course that would be great but in the meantime please join this group if you are serious about transparancy.
Want training and intend to use the knowledge in this Election season.

Please email me at comflm@yahoo.com
http://comflmregistrynews.blip.tv/
http://catchofthedayvideonews.blogspot.com/

Massachusetts Budget, Public and Online (Soon, We Hope!)

Freedom in Fall River — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:51:21 EDT

“We might hope to see the finances of the Union as clear and intelligible as a merchant’s books, so that every member of Congress and every man of any mind in the Union should be able to comprehend them, to investigate abuses, and consequently to control them.”
-Thomas Jefferson

Information technology is giving us the exciting opportunity to fulfill the democratic vision of our founders. A number of states have created searchable online databases of public expenditures. You’ll notice that Massachusetts is not one of them. It appears that the MA legislature is considering making such a portal , just as 31 states have already done. If anyone has special insight into this bill, please share!

Massachusetts taxpayers also have the benefit of an independent watchdog in the State Auditor. The current Auditor Joe DeNucci is not running for reelection. Kamal Jain , a Republican and IT businessman looking to replace him, has made creating an online database his primary issue. He promises not to miss a penny… and I believe him. Kamal Jain has been an advocate for Massachusetts budget transparency for years – he’s running as a passionate activist and a savvy technology professional, not a GOP party insider.