Virginia Coalition for Open Government

Transparency News 10/17/14

Friday, October 17, 2014

 

State and Local Stories

Warrenton’s town council took a step toward greater “transparency” this week. If council members follow through,candidates for town elections, starting in May 2016, would have to disclose campaign donations, loans and expenditures. State law exempts candidates in communities of fewer than 25,000 citizens. Warrenton has 10,000. That means those who run for council and mayor in Warrenton can take unlimited campaign contributions without disclosing the donors or the amounts. But, the council voted, 6-1, Tuesday to consider an ordinance that would require compliance with the Virginia Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006. A public hearing will precede the council’s final decision.
FauquierNow.com

The Richmond School Board removed 9th District representative Tichi Pinkney Eppes from the board’s student disciplinary committee after a two-hour closed session Thursday night following controversy involving a breach of student information. The board also publicly admonished and censured Eppes — “the strictest action we can take,” said board Chairman Donald Coleman, 7th District. The board instructed its attorney to refer the situation to an “outside state agency” for further investigation but declined to specify the entity. Eppes was not at the meeting, and neither she nor her attorney could immediately be reached for comment after the decision.
Times-Dispatch

The Virginia Municipal League (VML) has a familiar message for state legislators as the General Assembly prepares to meet in 2015: Don’t add unfunded mandates and don’t horn in on local tax revenue. The VML’s Legislative Committee presented its proposed 2015 legislative agenda Oct. 5 at the organization’s annual conference, held this year in Roanoke.
Inside NOVA

National Stories

In what appears to be an unprecedented decision, a New York trial court has allowed the New York Police Department (“NYPD”) to issue a “Glomar” response to a state open records request, meaning the government refuses to confirm or deny whether responsive records exist. The decision appears to be the first time that a court anwhere in the U.S. has upheld the use of such a tactic by a state agency. The Glomar response has historically been used only with regard to requests made to federal agencies that involve sensitive matters of national security. The case, Abdur-Rashid v. New York City Police Department, involved a request by Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid for records regarding NYPD surveillance of himself and his mosque in New York City. The city refused to disclose to Mr. Abdur-Rashid whether any such records existed, and told him that even if they did exist, such records would be exempt under the New York Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”).
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said Thursday she does not support a proposal to publicly identify gun owners who are granted concealed carry permits, undercutting a nascent effort by some lawmakers to make the names available upon request. Citing safety concerns, the chief said the identity of permit holders and their reasons for seeking to carry a concealed weapon should be shielded from disclosure as the city considers permanent regulations on the carrying of handguns in public.
Washington Times

The Pennsylvania Senate on Thursday sent to Governor Tom Corbett a bill that allows crime victims to sue to prevent inmates from making public statements that cause “mental anguish.” The Senate voted 37-11 to pass the "Revictimization Relief Act" after convicted cop killer and political activist inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal delivered the graduation address last week at Vermont's Goddard College in a speech recorded over prison telephone lines.
Reuters

Editorials/Columns

It can be no surprise to anyone paying attention to Roanoke County Board of Supervisors meetings that Al Bedrosian is a royal pain in the patootie. But Tuesday, the gentleman from the Hollins District raised a question worth considering: Why keep the public in the dark about who the candidates are for the key position of county administrator? There are places in the country that name the top contenders for important appointments — he mentioned Joplin, Mo. — giving the public an opportunity to find out more before the hire is made. The more transparent government can be the better, in our view. Too bad Bedrosian didn’t raise the issue at the start of the process of finding a new administrator. All but one candidate has been interviewed, and all applied with the understanding their applications would be confidential.
Roanoke Times