- The E-Government Act, a law that could fundamentally change the way the federal government uses information technology to interact with citizens, was signed into law by the President December 17. December 17, 2002
US Debuts New Online Public Comment System - On December 18, the Office of Management and Budget and the Environmental Protection Agency plan to launch the first iteration of the Online Rulemaking e-government project on Dec. 18. The portal, at www.regulations.gov, will let citizens and businesses find and comment on proposed federal regulations. December 9, 2002
CDT Publishes E-Government Handbook for Developing Countries - With the support of the World Bank's infoDev Program, CDT has compiled a comprehensive resource on e-government for developing and transitional countries. The report uses cases studies and models from around the world to illustrate the phases, opportunities and challenges of e-government. November 25, 2002
E-Government Act Passes Congress -The E-Government Act, a bill intended to fundamentally change the way the federal government uses information technology to interact with citizens has been passed by Congress. The final version included several new provisions, notably the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law. November 15, 2002
Panel Publishes Guidelines on Access to Court Record - The Conference of Chief Justices of the state courts and the Conference of State Court Administrators have issued the final report of the project entitled "Developing CCJ/COSCA Guidelines for Public Access to Court Records: A National Project to Assist State Courts." October 28, 2002
State Court Records Go Online, Posing Conflict between Access and Privacy - Increasingly, state and county courts are using the Internet for case management, online filing of documents, and public access to records. The trend represents a quantum leap in the openness and thus the accountability of the judicial branch at the local level where most court cases arise. However, as state courts put more information online, they are contending with difficult and yet unresolved issues of cost, equity, and especially privacy. CDT explores these issues in a report entitled "A Quiet Revolution in the Courts: Electronic Access to State Court Records." The report includes links to state court records online. August 26, 2002
E-Government Act Unanimously Passes Senate - The E-Government Act (S.803), a bill intended to fundamentally change the way the federal government uses information technology to interact with citizens, was unanimously approved yesterday, July 27, by the Senate. Introduced by Sens. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) and Conrad Burns (R-MT), the bill has undergone revisions following extensive negotiations among the sponsors, Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN) and the Bush Administration. The bill would require the government, for the first time ever, to systematically plan its enormous expenditures for computer systems in ways that will make government information and services more accessible to ordinary citizens, while also taking into account and mitigating the privacy implications of government data collection. June 28, 2002
CDT Comments on US "GovNet" Proposal - The General Service Administration, at the request of the Bush Administration's new Office of Homeland Security, recently issued a Request For Information on a proposal to segment off communications of confidential information among government agencies. The Administration has said that it will ensure that public information would not be stored permanently on this new system, dubbed GovNet. CDT is concerned that the resources needed to develop a GovNet - combined with the security risks that would need to be addressed - would be too heavy a drain on the government's already taxed information security and openness projects to justify the potential benefit November 29, 2001
OMB to Post Online Data On Proposed Regulations - The Office of Management and Budget announced that it would make more information available online regarding its role in analyzing and passing what amounts to final judgment on regulations and rules proposed by federal agencies. In a multiyear effort to expand the amount of data disclosed to the public online, OMB will post, among other things, lists of regulations under review, copies of letters sent between OMB and agencies, copies of correspondence with outside interests and information regarding meetings with outside groups. As minor as this sounds, it is a significant victory for openness. October 23, 2001
GAO advises agencies to increase Internet based public participation initiatives. -
General Accounting Office Report states that coordination
between agencies and Internet interactivity with citizenry will enhance
participation and efficiency in the rulemaking process. July 21, 2000
CDT Supports The "E-government Act Of 2001" - The Center of Democracy and Technology today
announced support for the "E-Government Act of 2001," a bill intended to
fundamentally change the way the federal government uses information
technology to interact with citizens. Introduced by Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) along with the Congressional Internet Caucus Co-Chairs
Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the bill would
require the government, for the first time ever, to systematically plan its
enormous expenditures for computer systems in ways that will make government
information and services more accessible to ordinary citizens. May 1, 2001
Supreme Court Opens Official Web
Site - After years of delay, the Supreme Court has opened its Web site,
which is expected to post opinions at noon on the day that they are
released. In CDT and OMB Watch's recent study,
The Ten Most Wanted Government
Documents, an Official Supreme Court Web site was named the second most
wanted document. April 17, 2000
Representative Davis and Moran Introduce New "Cyber Security" Bill - The
Cyber Security Information Act (HR 4246) would exempt security information
voluntarily submitted by industry to the government from the Freedom of
Information Act. April 13, 2000
WANTED! CDT And OMB Watch Seek Missing Government Documents
- Is the Government putting on the Internet the information that you need?
There are categories of unclassified data that exist on paper or in government computers that would be of value to the public if posted. CDT and OMB Watch are seeking to identify the 10 most wanted government documents, reports or data sets missing in action due to the failure of the government to use the Internet fully.
June 28, 1999
Department of Commerce Reconsiders Charging for Search Engine
- The
Department of Commerce quickly said that it would reconsider the $30/month
charge on its new search engine
after CDT and other public interest advocates and Senator Patrick Leahy came out against
the proposal. The search engine will remain available online for free
until at least June 1 while the Administration reviews its public
dissemination policy.
May 19, 1999
Preserving the Public Right to Know: CDT Adds Voice to Environmentalists' Outcry
- Proposals to limit public
information about the potential for accidents at chemical plants sparks letter to
Chairman of the House Commerce Committee.
Febuary 10, 1999
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