FOIA Facts: Sources for FOIA Training
Scott A. Hodes comments on the limited availability of training in this critical area, and identifies providers in the private and public sectors.
Scott A. Hodes comments on the limited availability of training in this critical area, and identifies providers in the private and public sectors.
Scott A. Hodes highlights the recent introduction of legislation that would eliminate the FOIA shield for the Smithsonian Institute, and the continued lack of transparency when dealing with other federal agencies.
Following up on the passage earlier this year of the OPEN Government Act of 2007, FOIA expert Scott A. Hodes make two proposals absent from the law, but which would help FOIA requesters.
Now that Congress has passed and the President has signed the FOIA Amendments known as the OPEN Government Act of 2007, many wonder what the new law does and doesn’t do for FOIA requesters. Scott A. Hodes reviews the major provisions of the new law and how it will or won’t affect FOIA requesters.
According to Scott A. Hodes, bringing a FOIA case often results in a more timely release of information, more information being released then the agency would have released if it wasn’t in litigation and more information going to the requester about agency decisions and withheld documents.
This set of presentations is from the Social Security Administration, obtained by an LLRX.com reader, via a FOIA request. It was developed as a top-level summary type internal briefing for SSA managers on FOIA.
Scott A. Hodes recommends that federal government FOIA offices implement a rapid response team to deal with FOIA requests that are likely to lead to litigation in the short run.
Beth Wellington’s commentary takes an in-depth look at the divergent positions and issues associated with FOIA and biodefense related appropriations and legislation, from the perspective of legislators, public interest groups and journalists.
The Government Domain
Information Checks and Balances
By Peggy Garvin
Peggy Garvin of Garvin Information Consulting is author of The United States Government Internet Manual (Bernan Press) and Real World Research Skills (TheCapitol.Net).
Scott A. Hodes contends that the upcoming Congressional term will likely result in FOIA amendments, a goal which stalled in the 109th Congress.