Virginia Freedom of Information Act – Page 2 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Va.: Data show that nearly 80 percent of those stopped by city police are black

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Official reports released recently reveal that black people accounted for nearly 80 percent of those stopped by Charlottesville police so far this year.

On Wednesday, results of a Freedom of Information request revealed that there have been 97 stops this year — as of Oct. 15. Of those stops, 74 involved individuals who were black, while 22 involved people who were white. One individual’s race was listed as “unknown.”

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Virginia Supreme Court to hear Daily Press appeal over court database

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The Virginia Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal requested by the Daily Press in a yearlong dispute over whether the state’s Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court must release a database of court case information.

The decision was issued Sept. 19, about two and a half weeks after lawyers representing the Daily Press argued that the state’s highest court should hear the case.

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VA: Gas industry seeks regulations delay, FOIA exemption for fracking

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The gas industry is pushing for a delay in new Virginia drilling regulations until it can get state law changed to protect key information about chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing.

These regulations, the result of a review that started at the end of 2013, are slated to be finalized shortly before the end of the year. Industry lobbyists this week asked legislators on a commission that monitors the executive branch's regulatory process to help delay implementation until at least July 2017.

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Virginia: Daily Press to argue for appeal in open records lawsuit

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Lawyers representing the Daily Press will present an oral argument Thursday asking the Supreme Court of Virginia to review a Newport News judge's ruling that court officials do not have to release their statewide database of case information.

The court typically uses the oral argument to clarify any questions or concerns they have about the briefs the parties have filed, said Hunter Sims, the attorney representing the Daily Press.

Continue…

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Legislation expected to address state Supreme Court FOIA ruling

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Legislation is coming to rework Virginia's Freedom of Information Act in the wake of a state Supreme Court decision that seems to allow government officials to withhold more records from the public.

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Editorial: 5 reasons you should care about Virginia’s FOIA review

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Marisa J. Porto, Virginia Press Association president: Earlier this year I began to attend meetings in Richmond to review Virginia's Freedom of Information law. It's been an interesting learning experience for someone who has made a career writing stories, rather than participating in them.

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Virginia’s stop-and-frisk records to remain exempt from public release

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Reports of stops and frisks by Charlottesville, Virginia, police officers will remain classified following a city circuit court ruling that concurred with city officials that the reports are criminal investigative files that are exempt from public disclosure.

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Information from Virginia criminal investigations largely exempt from FOIA

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At the request of the governor and prosecutors, the Virginia State Police are investigating the arrest of University of Virginia student Martese Johnson by Alcoholic Beverage Control agents, but it’s unlikely the public will have access to much of the investigation.

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Editorial: A more open government

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In our continued fight for greater openness and transparency in government, we found the following items worthy of comment.

A public debate

Hampton Councilman Donnie Tuck deserves citizens' thanks for raising questions about the city's participation in a data-sharing program operated by area law enforcement.

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‘Giftgate’ prompts ethics reform

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From The News Virginia: RICHMOND — Virginia has historically prided itself on its relative lack of government scandals.

But recent events — namely when Gov. Bob McDonnell accepted significant gifts from Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams — have prompted concern over the state’s system of ethical checks and balances, leaving some to question whether the law goes far enough in holding its governing officials financially accountable.

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