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Updates
Kings Dominion Campaign Contributions
The House today voted to relegate a law prohibiting schools from starting before Labor Day to the history books.
But campaign donations -- which helped give the so-called "Kings Dominion Law" its name -- disappeared years ago.
The law in question stipulates that public schools must begin classes after Labor Day unless granted a waiver by the state. Industry lobbyists – led by Kings Dominion – helped put the law on the books as a way to support a late summer tourism economy.
This year marks the first measurable success by groups seeking to strike out the decades-old requirement. By a 3:1 margin, the House approved a bill to allow schools districts to decide when to start classes.
Gov. Bob McDonnell has endorsed allowing school districts to start before Labor Day without a waiver. But the proposal faces opposition in the Senate, where last week a committee killed three similar bills.
02/02/2012
Lobbyist Registrations
VPAP posted 32 lobbyist registrations provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The last update was January 20.
View All Lobbyist Registrations
02/01/2012
New Donors
The 2011 General Assembly races marked the debut of nine companies and trade associations that for the first time contributed at least $7,500 to 10 or more different candidates. Some of these donors had been active before, but never had reached this level of giving directly to legislative candidates.
Note: All except Sabre have registered lobbyists for the 2012 General Assembly.
| # of Candidates |
Amount | Name | Description |
| 17 | $30,200 | Va Biotechnology Assn | Promotes the bioscience industry |
| 12 | $20,500 | John Crane Inc | Manfactures seals for oil & gas industry |
| 16 | $17,500 | Total Wine & More | Beer/wine box store retailer |
| 11 | $12,500 | JP Morgan Chase | Investment bank |
| 27 | $11,250 | National Vision Inc | Nation's fourth largest optical company |
| 22 | $8,750 | National Shooting Sports Foundation | Trade association for firearms industry |
| 13 | $8,500 | Sabre Inc | Online travel sites, including Travelocity |
| 12 | $8,000 | ACE American Insurance | Insurance company |
| 16 | $7,500 | Va Propane Gas Assn | Promote propane and related products |
01/31/2012
Personal Finances: Top State Officials
The Virginia Public Access Project today posted the annual personal financial disclosure statements filed the state’s top three elected officials.
State law requires Virginia’s elected officials to disclose free trips, gifts and personal financial data so the public can evaluate potential conflicts.
Here are a few highlights:
- Neither McDonnell, Bolling nor Cuccinelli appear to have significant personal wealth, particularly when it comes to Wall Street investments. McDonnell and Cuccinelli report no stocks, bonds or mutual funds worth more than $10,000. Bolling listed a single mutual fund valued between $10,001 and $50,000.
- McDonnell reported nearly $44,000 in taxpayer-funded trips, including three overseas trade missions. That’s more than double the previous high of $18,000 in trips paid for by taxpayers since VPAP began tracking in 2006.
Coming soon: VPAP will post the personal financial disclosures of General Assembly members as soon as they are made available through the clerks of the House and Senate.
01/30/2012
Lobbyist Registrations
VPAP posted 31 lobbyist registrations provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The last update was January 20.
View All Lobbyist Registrations
01/25/2012
Local Disclosures Online
The nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project posted campaign reports from the following localities with elections in 2012.
- Chesapeake City Council – May 1 Elections
- Newport News City Council - May 1 Elections
- City of Portsmouth (City Council and Mayor) - November 6 Elections
- City of Richmond - November 6 Elections
- City of Roanoke (City Council and Mayor) - May 1 Elections
- City of Suffolk - November 6 Elections
- City of Virginia Beach - November Elections
Updated: January 20
The nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project posted campaign reports from the following localities with elections in 2012.
- Alexandria City Council – November Elections
- Arlington County – March 27 Special for County Board
- Fairfax City Council – May 1 Elections
- Lynchburg City Council – May 1 Elections (No Activity Reported)
- Norfolk City Council - May 1 Elections
These reports reflect fundraising activity from July 1 – December 31.
VPAP also posted year-end reports for city council and board of supervisor candidates from the following localities.
These reports offer a final look at fundraising and spending.
These reports cover the period from December 2 – 31.
01/25/2012
Lobbyist Registrations
VPAP posted 126 lobbyist registrations provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The last update was Jan. 12.
View All Lobbyist Registrations
01/20/2012