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Archive for the ‘General Assembly’ Category

Public notice bills: SPJVA works to protect right to know

Posted in General Assembly on February 23, 2013 |

The Virginia Pro chapter of SPJ was active during the 2013 session of the Virginia General Assembly, working to defeat public notice legislation that would curtail the public’s right to know.

The Code of Virginia requires the publication of public notices for a number of government activities, including requests for proposals for building projects, zoning matters or public meetings.

Such notices must be published in newspapers; the papers provide a widely distributed means to get the required information to the public in a timely fashion.

Six different bills this session would have removed such notices from newspapers and allowed instead postings on websites maintained by the state or by a locality.

The chapter, following the lead of the Virginia Press Association and the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, worked against these measures and to maintain the public’s right to know.

SPJVA president Paul Fletcher appeared before committees in the House and Senate three times, providing testimony against several of the bills. The chapter also mounted three email campaigns on the public notice bills.

Several of the bills died in committee. The last of the measures, House Bill 1823, essentially would have moved RFPs filed by localities to the state procurement site, eVA. It passed the House by a 3-1 margin.

But on Feb. 18, it was defeated by a 10-3 vote in the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee.

For more information about the bills, see the scorecard maintained by the VPA at its website.

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Elimination of physical quorum rule proposed

Posted in FOIA, General Assembly on September 4, 2012 |

The FOIA Council subcommittee is considering whether to recommend eliminating the requirement that state or local bodies have a quorum physically present when doing business.

Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, said that her group opposes the proposed change.

Current FOIA rules say state agencies must have a quorum in one location and that localities can’t meet electronically at all except for when a member has an emergency, Rhyne said.

She added that this proposed change wasn’t really pushed for by state agencies or localities.

Nonetheless, the subcommittee will consider the draft legislation tomorrow and make a recommendation to the full council later in the day.

For anyone interested in attending and/or testifying, the council meeting is scheduled for 1:30 tomorrow at House Room D of the General Assembly Building.

The draft is posted here in a document entitled emtgs.

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November Board of Directors meeting minutes

Posted in General Assembly, Programs, Society of Professional Journalists, SPJ on November 7, 2011 |

Virginia Pro Chapter SPJ Board of Directors meeting
9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 2011
offices of WVCE Public Radio, Richmond

Present: Paul F., Brian E., Pat K., Joan T., Wayne F., Caroline C., Guy L., A.J. L.
Nicole L. available by phone

Old Business:

Secretary Pat K. read minutes of October board meeting, approved unanimously

Christopher Newport University situation:
CNU Captain’s Log student newspapers were stolen, and university declined to press charges. Paul F. wrote op/ed on thefts, which was published in Virginia Lawyers Weekly and the Captain’s Log. Pat K. will seek wider distribution of the op/ed.

University of Virginia situation:
University of Virginia Cavalier Daily newspaper ran story outlining plagiarism without identifying student, pursued honor code charges. Honor council threatened editors with charges. All charges dropped. SPJVA offered support to editor.

Board will develop introductory letter to college editors alerting them to our potential resources.

SPJ national high school essay contest:
Guy L. will serve as judging chairman for SPJVA

New board member sought:
Bonnie Davis has moved to North Carolina. Will seek new educator for the board.

Richmond photojournalist arrest:
Pat wrote statement to Richmond officials regarding Oct. 31 arrest of photojournalist Ian Graham of RVA Mag. Brian E. moved, A.J. L. second, board approved unanimously. Paul F. to edit and send out on SPJVA letterhead.

Statement on A.P. Day at the Capitol:
Minor edits accepted to Brian E.’s statement of support for the A.P. Day program. Program ran by Capitol Correspondents Association. Brian E. moved, Guy L. second, board approved unanimously:

“AP Day at the Capitol is a program of great value to journalists who cover Virginia government, and it is one that the Society of Professional Journalists, Virginia Pro Chapter, has supported for many years. The chapter defers to the event’s organizers to make specific program arrangements. SPJ is a First Amendment organization, and we support every citizen’s and candidate’s ability to be heard.”

Public notice:
Paul F. and Caroline C. to talk with Ginger Stanley from VPA regarding fight to preserve public notice in Virginia newspapers. VPA taking the lead so far. Caroline says they are updating weekly and building a coalition. Al Cross of SPJ national government committee says this is a right to know issue.
George Mason Birthday:
Brian E. offered an update on the George Mason birthday program. Round-trip to Mason memorial in D.C. for wreath-laying and program by Park Ranger. Return to Gunston Hall, which offers a $9 home tour and short film.
Aiming for Sunday, Dec. 11 – Mason’s birthday. Likely all-day affair carpooling from Richmond. Will advertise to membership, others, D.C. pro membership.
Will count as First Amendment program for chapter. Brian E. requested up to $150 for wreath materials, Guy L. moved, Pat second, board approved unanimously. Brian E. will draft press release.

Scholarship profiles project:
Pat K. offered an update on board project to create a booklet profiling all SPJ, SDX Foundation Scholarship recipients. Able to find many people on Google, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Treasurer’s Report:
$7,385.94 from Meet the Media Day event. Balance is $7,829.94. Account transferred from Danny F. to Brian E. in October. 501c6 nonprofit status renewed Oct. 25. We have 110 members, about 70 active members. Can expect $900 in dues from national.
Brian E. recommends a close look at the roster and more membership communication. Pat K. will look at rosters, develop welcome letter/e-mail. Will ask Robyn S. to co-chair membership communication.

New Business:

Pat K. to send card on behalf of SPJVA to family of Josie Scott, killed Oct. 30 by motorist.

January social program idea:
2012 General Assembly preview. Perhaps Megan Rhyne, capitol correspondent, etc. speaking at casual gathering.

Regional Director’s Report:
Brian E. has looked into chartering train space for SPJ Region 2 Spring Conference March 30-31 in Elon, N.C.
Brian E. to visit Regent University in Virginia Beach Nov. 18 to start student chapter of SPJ.

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October Board of Directors meeting minutes

Posted in General Assembly, Programs, Society of Professional Journalists, SPJ on November 7, 2011 |

Virginia Pro Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists Board of Directors meeting

WCVE Public Radio
9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15

Present: Paul F., Brian E., Pat K., Caroline C., Guy F., Nicole L., Wayne F.

$500 to Jepson School – co-sponsor
Gifts for 11 panelists, $20 card to B&N
Caroline C. moved, minutes approved unanimously

Brian: VCOG does FOI work, started in part by SPJ Virginia. Designated as long-term sponsor.
Wayne moved, Guy seconded, funding $250 for reception sponsorship. As recently as 2004 gave $500
annually, recently $0 annually. Passed unanimously.

Recap of EIJ 2011 by Paul, Brian and Pat

Paul: congrats to Brian E. for Regional Director of the Year

Brian: VAPRO was a three-star chapter last year, star system is being retired. Regional directors saw
flaws, fairness issues in system and killed it. Expect guidelines for “in good standing” or “not in good
standing” system within weeks. One year not in good standing, visit from national. Three years not in
good standing, lose charter.
Three professional development programs per year. Attendance figure required. Annual reports
required. Helping legal aid fund, fighting legislature, FOI activity, helping SDX board, aid student
chapter.

Brian reelected as Regional Director, also on Executive Committee. UR funds his travel and president
Dr. Ayers is supportive.

PK recap of one member, one vote. SPJ headquarters staff to present plan in January, Brian reports.
Plenty of time before next set of Regional Director votes.

Paul: won the 2013 Region 2 Spring Conference, to be hosted with VPA annual meeting in Richmond.
PK Recap of EIJ Region 2 meeting.
Paul: using Wijio.com for board meeting and planning.
Discussed larger rooms for conference spaces, especially for multimedia sessions

AP Day at the Capitol
Controversy over excluding Jamie Radke by Tea Party groups.

Draft statement along the lines of “We have and will continue a long-standing commitment to this
program. We have deferred to them to use their judgement in defining the candidates. We support their
program in its totality.”
Brian to draft statement, will be posted on Virginia Pro channels.

York County leading fight against public notice in newspapers. Sought GA approval to public online-

only. Delegate Steve Landis has introduced bill three years at least. Caroline said first English
newspaper in 1665 had court notices, 1789 in United States.

Backed by Gov. McDonnell and Reform Commission, opposed by Virginia Press Association. Public
right-to-know issue. Brian will look into SPJ national platform on notices.

People in Lexington victim of water heater backflow explosions. Doug Harwood, Rockbridge
Advocate, not warned by newspaper notice on backflow valves. Jim Dolan did study on costs of
website construction in Minnesota.

Brian: Letter writing campaign to legislators. Speaker on behalf of SPJ, Paul volunteered. Contact other
journalism organizations.

Spend a month deciding on platform. Perhaps write op-eds for papers to use.

Admin needs to, like all colleges, say that they are shaping the way people to behave. They should
make sure this is not acceptable. Look into CNU, Hampton, Towson. PK will take lead.

Brian said 40th anniversary of college scholarships. Close to $100,000 in scholarship donations since
1972. Foundation seeking assistance in producing booklet going over scholarship winners. Seeking
major “angel” donation. Seeking 75 profiles. Brian will send list of names, deadline of George Mason
Banquet.

Paul moved for chapter to accept project, Caroline second, unanimous vote.

Brian encouraged members to attend SPJ Region 2, hopes pro chapters will each contribute a
professional development program.

Brian encouraged chapter membership retention and communication.
Paul wants chapter newsletter. Collecting examples.
Paul seeks to host 40th anniversary event for SPJ/SDX Scholarship fund
Brian visiting 16 student chapters, five pro chapters this year.

Action items:

Caroline and Paul working on public notice
Brian writing AP Day statement of intent, circulate to board
Pat monitor CNU situation, potential op-ed
Brian, Pat & Paul discussing scholarship biography
Sunday, Dec. 11 or Saturday, Dec. 10 George Mason’s Birthday evening. Caroline will look into
Gunston Hall event, Brian will seek road trip.

Next meeting:

Saturday, Nov. 5 board meeting at WVCE 9:30 a.m.

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VCOG exec: ’11 session went well for FOIA

Posted in FOIA, General Assembly, Programs on March 23, 2011 |

Only one new exemption to the Freedom of Information Act made it through the 2011 General Assembly, according to Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government.

And that exemption is narrow, covering the Commercial Space Flight Authority. Usually several new exemptions pass during a session, she said.

Rhyne spoke to the Virginia Pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists March 22, as part of the chapter’s celebration of Sunshine Week.

Rhyne gave the chapter a rundown of FOIA activity during the 2011 Assembly session and of other measures affecting journalists and newspapers. It was a successful year on the Hill, she said.

One bill, signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell yesterday, would double the penalties for a willful and knowing FOIA violation committed by a public official. Rhyne said while that sounds good, judges actually have been loath to impose such fines. There has been only one instance where a judge levied a penalty, and it was overturned on appeal, she said.

One bill that VCOG successfully fought would have been problematic for journalists. That measure would allow a government official to petition a court for relief if he or she felt “harassed” by a requestor or believed that the requestor was abusing his or her FOIA rights.

Other measures that did not survive the session:

· Several electronic public notice bills were defeated this session, through the efforts of the Virginia Press Association and VCOG. The bills would have permitted the publishing of notices on a government website, rather than in a newspaper. Similar bills have been introduced for the past several sessions; VCOG opposes them on public access grounds. She warned, though, that the report from McDonnell’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring, issued last fall, favors posting on government sites.

· A state shield law for journalists was introduced, but pulled by its sponsor, Del. Barbara Comstock, R-McLean, over concerns about the definition of “journalist.” The VPA, among others, will be working with the delegate on a new bill over the summer.

Rhyne, who was a legal journalist in Texas for a number of years before returning to Virginia, serves as a statewide resource for citizens and journalists. She reported a number of trends she sees:

· More and more FOIA cases involve school boards, over both records and proceedings

· Custodians of information have been using the tactic of asking a requestor to narrow the scope of a request before responding.

· Members of boards or commissions have been holding two-by-two meetings or “daisy-chaining,” in which two officials meet, then each go and meet with one other member, sharing information. Since FOIA applies when three officials meet, the two-by-twos aren’t necessarily illegal.

· Utah recently passed the most restrictive public records law in the nation, earning it SPJ National’s “Black Hole Award.” Rhyne said that the governor signed the bill because he feared a veto would be overwritten; however, he wants a special session of the Utah legislature to rewrite the revised law.

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