Digital Government
Hill mulls requiring regulators to use uniform reporting format for financial industry
Common standard could highlight financial problems sooner and give the public and financial sector greater insight into markets.
Digital Government
Executives say government needs online clearinghouse for food program
Website would provide information to companies interested in helping nonprofit organizations that work with developing countries on agricultural investments.
Ideas
Labor Changes Career Video Contest
The Obama administration's strategy of hosting contests to find answers to the nation's problems seems to be an exercise in trial and error, <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100430_9749.php">as predicted</a>.
Digital Government
Senate funds system to speed processing of mine safety violations
Electronic filing would help stop mining companies' tactic of evading responsibility for problems by contesting federal penalties, an appeals process that averages nearly two years.
Digital Government
Actor Kevin Costner promotes oil clean up tech on Hill
His company, Ocean Therapy Solutions, has partnered with BP to deploy the machine, but funding and regulatory obstacles have prevented Costner from supplying the device to government, he says.
Modernization
OMB wants agencies to emphasize IT efficiencies in 2012 budgets
Director wants federal IT shops to include in future spending plans consolidation of data centers and the adoption of cloud computing to cut technology costs.
Modernization
Groups want agencies to post more advisory meetings on the Web
Government watchdogs press Congress to pass a bill that would demand federal managers post transcripts or recordings of proceedings shortly after they occur.
Ideas
U.S. Transfers Control Of Iraqi E-Library
The United States on Monday is expected to announce the transfer of control of an online research library to the Iraqi people, according to a federally-funded nonprofit organization that had managed the project. The move represents the culmination of a four-year U.S.-Iraq partnership to reinvigorate scientific study in the Middle Eastern country after decades of myopic focus on weapons systems.
Modernization
GAO calls for better efficiency measurements, but IT could help
OMB has issued inconsistent, limited guidance to agencies on measuring efficiency, but auditors noted the White House has emphasized increasing efficiency through IT-related initiatives.
Digital Government
Some worry SEC's proposed system to monitor stock markets too ambitious
Exchanges would have few practice runs to submit detailed trading information, increasing the risk the data could be flawed.
Digital Government
Lawmakers question agencies' online contests and prizes
Two Republicans say the White House's push for competition and cash awards wastes taxpayer money, but the White House and a federal manager say the investments are worthwhile.
Digital Government
Site launched to collect public input on airline rule
Transportation and Cornell University create Regulation Room where individuals with little or no policy backgrounds can take part in shaping a regulation that would expand the rights of passengers.
Cybersecurity
Amazon talks cybersecurity in the cloud for feds
Nextgov discusses government managers' fear of losing control, data breaches and disaster recovery with Adam Selipsky, head of the company's Web services division.
Digital Government
White House to tie together mapping and data sites
By making applications on Geodata.gov available on Data.gov, the public will be able to mashup disparate information to create layered maps that they can share.
Ideas
It's Official: GSA Picks Contest App
The General Services Administration on Thursday officially announced that Web services firm ChallengePost will offer a free tool that lets agencies easily launch online contests, information that Nextgov <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100430_9749.php">reported last month</a>.
Digital Government
Debate focuses on how to protect users' privacy if Web-tracking tools are allowed on federal sites
OMB expected to relax ban on agencies' use of cookies and other analytics to collect information on visitors' online activities.
Ideas
With Oil Spill, DOI Quickly Hires CIO
The Interior Department, saddled with handling the Gulf Coast oil spill, on Wednesday quickly moved to appoint a new chief information officer, Bernard J. Mazer. He will replace Sanjeev Bhagowalia, who joined the General Services Administration on Monday.
Ideas
Google's Cookies, A .Gov Model?
Google set a precedent for the use of cookies - website tracking devices - that the White House should follow, some privacy advocates said, reacting to the news that the search giant will now allow site owners and users to opt out of its service that tracks traffic on websites.
Digital Government
Internet isn't the agent of regime change some hoped for
Experts say the Web has limited power in fomenting political shifts, and dictators have learned how to use the Internet for their own ends.
Digital Government