OTG, partners tell President Obama there’s still time to make crucial reforms

“When you assumed office as the 44th President of the United States, you pledged that your administration would set a new, higher standard for transparency, accountability, and ethics…for the most part, the broad changes you envisioned are either incomplete or neglected.”

This passage is part of a letter sent by 13 openness and accountability advocates to President Obama this morning, outlining his administration’s accomplishments and shortfalls in bringing about anticipated reforms. Beyond simply criticizing, the letter gives concrete and feasible ways the president could improve his open government legacy, including:

• Advocating for the presumption of openness under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
• Releasing the Senate torture report
• Shining a light on the campaign finance system
• Better protecting future whistleblowers
• Slowing down the revolving door

While the next occupant of the White House remains to be decided, there is still time for President Obama to make crucial progress on openness and accountability and live up – at least in part – to the grand vision he laid out when he first took office.

Read the full letter here.