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VPAP Whipple Report
A daily compilation of newspaper articles about Virginia politics and government
VPAP in the News
Newspaper articles that make use of data provided by the Virginia Public Access Project
Redistricting
News on congressional, General Assembly, and local redistricting throughout Virginia
Updates from vpap.org
The most current site updates on vpap.org
Lobbyist Registrations
VPAP posted 19 lobbyist registrations provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The last update was February 16.
View All Lobbyist Registrations
02/22/2012
Lobbyist Registrations
VPAP posted 17 lobbyist registrations provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The last update was February 8.
View All Lobbyist Registrations
02/16/2012
$10,000+ Donations to PACs
VPAP posted 3 donations of $10,000 or more reported by PACs since our last update on February 7:
VIEW ALL TRANSACTIONS
Democratic Party of Virginia
- $27,500 from the Virginia AFL-CIO
Democratic Senate Caucus
- $25,000 from Whipple for Senate - Mary Margaret
Republican Party of Virginia
- $25,000 from Dominion
02/16/2012
FAQ: New Filer Application
Q. WHY IS SBE REPLACING THE DESKTOP VAILING SOFTWARE?
A. VAFiling (first introduced in 1999) has exceeded its useful lifespan. As the product has aged, SBE has had to divert more and more of its limited resources to provide Help Desk support for the more than 750 users. The best solution is to shift from desktop software (which users had to install on a PC) to a “cloud” application (which users can access through a Web browser from a variety of devices).
Q. WHEN WILL THE NEW SYSTEM BE AVAILABLE?
A. The SBE has scheduled deployment on March 15. At that time, users will be able to establish accounts and begin entering transactions for the current year.
Q. WILL I BE ABLE TO CONTINUE USING PRIVATE VENDOR SOFTWARE TO FILE MY CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS?
A. Yes. The new system will accept files generated by software on the approved vendor list. SBE will provide vendors with new specifications and require vendors to be certified under the new system. SBE anticipates these changes will be minimal. However, it will be the responsibility of the vendor to make any adjustments necessary to certify the software for use by clients.
Q. WILL I BE ABLE TO USE THE SYSTEM ON A MAC?
A. Yes. The new system will be compatible with commonly used browsers, regardless of what type of computer (PC or Apple) you are using.
Q. WHAT WILL BE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VAFILNG AND THE NEW SYSTEM?
A. The new system will eliminate the two problems that users found most frustrating. First, users won’t have to install software on their PC. This means you won’t have to re-install the software if SBE issues an updated version. Second, users won’t have to download new filing periods, a process that many users found cumbersome.
The new system has a number of other advantages:
- Filing will become portable: no longer will your data be tied to single PC in a single location. You will be able to add data from any computer.
- You no longer have to worry about a catastrophic loss of your information if your hard drive crashes. All your data will be backed up and protected on SBE’s server.
- It will be easier to maintain and update a master list of your donors and vendors.
- SBE is moving your Statement of Organization online, which will give you more control over your account information should you change mailing addresses or name a new treasurer.
- The new system will integrate any accelerated reports (such as candidates’ large, pre-election reports and PAC’s 72-hour reports on donations of $10,000 or more) into a single system. You now will enter such transactions only once.
Q. WILL I IMPORT MY VAFILING DATA INTO THE NEW SYSTEM?
A. No. You will retain your legacy data on your desktop. The new system will contain data only from 2012 forward.
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY OLD DATABASE?
A. While legacy data cannot be imported into this new system, retain a copy of your current database. Committees that don't work with outside vendors must use the VA Filing software to amend any report that was due before 4/1/2012.
Q. WHERE WILL MY DATA BE STORED AND WHO WILL HAVE ACCESS TO MY INFORMATION?
A. All information entered into the new application will be stored on a server managed and protected by SBE. Just like the current system, the information you are required to disclose on campaign finance reports will not be visible to the public before the filing deadline and until you tell the system to file your report. However, any information entered (including small donors, whose names are not required to be disclosed publicly) will reside on SBE’s server. The SBE has put in place security measures and administrative policies to ensure the privacy of your information. In addition, the 2010 General Assembly, in anticipation of this system, passed a law that protects your information from requests under Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act.
Q. IF I NEED TO AMEND AN OLDER REPORT, WILL I USE VAFILING OR THE NEW SYSTEM?
A. The new system will only be for reports submitted after 4/1/2012. Amendments of any report that was due before that date will need to be submitted using VAFiling.
Q. WILL I CONTINUE TO USE THE SYSTEM TO FILE PAPER REPORTS WITH MY LOCAL REGISTRAR?
A. The online system for compiling finance reports will be available only to candidates and committees that chose the e-file option. Paper filers who currently use VAFiling to generate paper reports for submission to local registrars will have the choice of converting to e-filing or reverting to pen and paper. Paper filers’ interaction with the system will be limited to preparing their Statements of Organization In the new system, e-filers will retain the ability to print their reports on paper for review prior to submitting electronically.
Q. WILL I BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD MY DATA INTO A FILE OR SPREADSHEET ON MY COMPUTER?
A. Yes. The system will allow you to download your data into Excel or a .csv file which you can then sort or filter to suit your data needs.
Q. WILL I BE ABLE TO UPLOAD DATA FROM QUICKEN OR OTHER SOFTWARE, SO I DON’T HAVE TO TYPE IT IN TWICE?
A. Not initially, but SBE intends to look into this as an option in the future.
02/14/2012
SBE Training for New Filer Application
The State Board of Elections is changing the way candidate committee and PACs electronically file campaign finance reports.
SBE is replacing VAFiling -- a desktop software introduced in 1999 – with a modern, web-based application.
Starting April 1, SBE will no longer accept campaign finance disclosure reports generated by VAFiling. This means:
- Committees that use VAFiling must switch to the new web-based system.
- Committees that use third-party software must make sure their vendor complies with SBE-specified format changes.
SBE is scheduled to launch the new system on March 15, more than one month before the deadline for filing first-quarter reports.
In March, the SBE is holding training sessions on the new web-based system in five locations around Virginia. (See schedule below)
Seating is limited. The cost is $10 per person. To sign up, print out the form below, and mail it to:
State Board of Elections
Washington Building, 1100 Bank Sreet
Richmond, VA 23219
For more information about the new filing system, please read these frequently asked questions.
______________________________________________________________________________
STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TRAINING
Southwest: Friday, March 9
New River Community College; Dublin Campus, Edwards Hall
5251 College Drive; Dublin, VA 24084.
• 9 AM - 12 PM or
• 2 PM - 5 PM
Tidewater: Tuesday, March 13
The Emergency Management Training Center
9th Floor of the City Hall Building in Downtown Hampton;
22 Lincoln Street, Hampton, VA 23669.
• 9 AM - 12 PM or
• 2 PM - 5 PM
Central: Thursday, March 15
City Space; 100 5th Street NE, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
• 9 AM - 12 PM or
• 2 PM - 5 PM
Northern: Thursday and Friday March 22 and 23
The Criminal Justice Academy Training Center,
14601 Lee Road; Chantilly, VA 20151-1703.
• 9 AM - 12 PM or
• 2 PM - 5 PM
Capitol Area: Friday, March 30
State Board of Elections,
1100 Bank St. Richmond, VA 23219
• 9 AM - 12 PM or
• 1 PM - 4 PM or
• 5 PM - 8 PM
| Date: | |
| Time: | |
| Fee: | $10.00 Per Person |
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Participant Name, Email |
Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Amount : |
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02/14/2012
Lobbyist Registrations
VPAP posted 20 lobbyist registrations provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The last update was February 1.
View All Lobbyist Registrations
02/08/2012
Legislators' Gift Disclosures
Updated 2/8/2012
VALUE OF GIFTS CONTINUES TO CLIMB
The number of gifts and free trips that General Assembly members report has declined in recent years, while the average value of gifts reported has soared to $450 from $300 in the last three years.
- In a cost-cutting move, the General Assembly cut back on taxpayer funds spent to send legislators to professional conferences. Conference sponsors, particularly the American Legislative Exchange Council, have picked up the cost.
- In 2010 and 2011, Virginia Uranium paid all expenses for 16 legislators for travel to France and Canada to tour mine and processing facilities. The cost of the French trip, which included two days in Paris, cost more than $10,000 for some legislators and their spouses.
- Legislators more frequently take advantage of "cultural exhange" programs with foreign counties that offer free trips. In 2010, for example, the American Turkish Friendship Association flew 11 legislators -- four accompanied by spouses -- to Istanbul for a fact-finding trip.
Updated Feb. 7
Lawmaker: Trip to France dissuaded him on uranium mining (Virginian-Pilot)
Va. legislators accepted $246,000 in gifts last year (Washington Post)
Virginia Uranium Top "Gifter" to Lawmakers in 2011 (Danville Register & Bee)
02/08/2012