shareUpdate: Industry Coding Changes
Date: 02/24/2012
The Virginia Public Access Project has made some minor changes to its industry coding classification system. The purpose of the coding is to identify the primary economic interest or single-interest agenda of each donor.
The latest modifications were made to bring more precision to some single-interest groups and to add occupations that had not been represented. These are:
NEW INDUSTRIES
Bail Bondsmen: These had been coded under "business services." An increased activity by bail bondsmen (donations grew from $4,700 in 2008 to $18,450 in 2011) justified a separate heading.
Nuclear Energy: Companies involved in uranium mining and nuclear energy had been grouped under "miscellaneous energy." A separate category was warranted in light of the industry's resurgence and the debate over uranium mining.
Republican Advocacy and Democratic Advocacy: These two categories include groups that promote one party or the other, but are outside the official party structure. Previously, these groups were clumped with "local/state political party" organizations.
INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE BEEN CLARIFIED
"Conservative/Pro-family groups" has been changed to Christian/Traditional Family - This classification had been an amalgam of religious organizations and conservative groups that are not focused primarily on religion or family values. This newly named category focuses on Christian issues and threats to traditional families.
"Women's Groups" have been renamed Equality for Women - There are many types of groups for women. The new name more precisely states the nature of this classification, which is feminist groups that advocate for equality for women in the workplace.
Anti-Tax/Limited Government - This is a new category that includes many organizations that had been lumped in the old "conservative/pro-family groups.