Publication Items

Federal Anti-SLAPP Bill Could Help Bloggers, Freelancers [1]

A bill to protect journalists and citizens against "Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation" suits has been introduced in Congress but is unlikely to go far unless more members get behind it.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [3]
Government [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Federal Anti-SLAPP Bill Could Help Bloggers, Freelancers [1]
New Move Afoot To Let Taxpayers Read CRS Reports They Pay For [7]

A proposed bill would give the public better access to information about members' personal financial information, travel and gift reports, funding earmarks, committee work and reports, recorded floor votes, lobbyist registration and disclosure, and political contributions.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [3]
Government [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about New Move Afoot To Let Taxpayers Read CRS Reports They Pay For [7]
Deadline for Fed Agency Open Government Plans Is Today, April 7 [8]

As this issue of the
WatchDog
went to press, major environmental agencies had not yet posted their plans online. Find links to look for them here.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Deadline for Fed Agency Open Government Plans Is Today, April 7 [8]
EPA Puts HERO Risk-Study Database Online [9]

Environmental reporters covering health risks from chemical exposure have another searchable, free tool in the Health & Environmental Research Online database, which catalogs scientific articles and studies the agency uses to make its decisions based on risk to health and environment.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [10]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [11]
Health [12]
Government [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about EPA Puts HERO Risk-Study Database Online [9]
EPA Makes Chemical Inventory Freely Available [13]

Search and sort 84,000 selected chemicals manufactured, used, or imported into the US — minus 17,000 still hidden from the public due to claims of business confidentiality.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [10]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [11]
Government [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about EPA Makes Chemical Inventory Freely Available [13]
Money Flows As Elections Loom [14]

The newly upgraded and expanded MAPLight.org will help you make connections between lobbying and campaign contributions and the actions of members of the US House and Senate, including their votes on specific bills and issues.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [10]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [15]
Health [12]
Laws & Regulations [3]
Government [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Money Flows As Elections Loom [14]
EPA Releases HERO Risk Assessment Database [16]

The Health and Environmental Research Online database compiles references to scientific studies that EPA uses in making regulatory decisions.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Health [12]
Laws & Regulations [3]
Government [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about EPA Releases HERO Risk Assessment Database [16]
EPA Makes TSCA Inventory Available Online for Free [17]

But the list — the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory — is still minus some 17,000 chemicals that manufacturers allege are trade secrets.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Economy & Business [18]
Chemicals [11]
Government [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about EPA Makes TSCA Inventory Available Online for Free [17]
SEJ Comments on How To Make EPA More Open [19]

SEJ's suggestions included an end to requiring Saddam-style "minders" and press-office permissions before reporters could talk to EPA scientists and staff; prompter PIO callbacks and interviews; an end to automatic "background;" and more.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about SEJ Comments on How To Make EPA More Open [19]
SEJ Supports 'Faster FOIA' Bill [20]

Bill S 3111, introduced on March 15, 2010, by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy and cosponsored by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), would create a panel to study ways to reduce FOIA delays.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about SEJ Supports 'Faster FOIA' Bill [20]

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