Updates
Dec. 3: Post-Election Disclosures
12/03/2009
Lobbyist Registrations
VPAP posted 41 lobbyist registrations received from the Secretary of the Commonwealth since last Thursday, November 12. Of the registrations published today, there were:
13 new lobbyist-client relationships.
28 renewals of existing client-lobbyist relationships
11/20/2009
Governor Results for House/Senate Districts
The nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project has calculated the 2009 gubernatorial election results in each state House and Senate district, based on unofficial election returns from the State Board of Elections.
The analysis shows Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell carried 75 of 100 House districts and 29 of 40 Senate Districts.
Map of Senate District Results
You can click on any district, which will take you to a page showing how that district voted in the November 2009 elections for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General.
11/19/2009
Inaugural Committees Formed
Governor-elect Bob McDonnell and Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli have registered Inaugural committees with the State Board of Elections. These committees will raise money for the Inaugural festivities taking place on January 16, 2010.
These committees will not have to file their first campaign finance report until March 15, 2010.
11/19/2009
Results of 2009 User Survey
A recent survey found the overwhelming majority of users think is VPAP a trusted, timely, and unbiased source of information about money in Virginia politics.
The 621 people who completed the online survey between October 5-22 also put forward more than 200 suggestions on how to improve the site.
"Some of these suggestions are real head-slappers -- 'Why didn't we think of that before?'" said David Poole, VPAP's executive director. "The survey is like having hundreds of human "bots" scour the site and telling us what we could do better and what else they'd like to see."
VPAP has implemented several suggestions (including making links to legislative district maps more prominent) and is preparing a punch list of further action.
In addition, VPAP staff is following up with smart-phone users to see how VPAP.org might work better on hand-held devices and contacting dissatisfied users to find out what VPAP can do to improve their experience.
Below is a summary of the survey results:
Geographical Breakdown - Virginia Visitors
| Central Virginia | 167 | 29% |
| Northern Virginia | 160 | 28% |
| Hampton Roads | 189 | 15% |
| Piedmont | 67 | 12% |
| Valley of Virginia | 52 | 9% |
| Southside Virginia | 22 | 4% |
| Southwest Virginia | 20 | 3% |
How Long Have You Been Coming to VPAP?
| More than 3 Years | 218 | 35% |
| 1-3 Years | 191 | 31% |
| A Few Months | 73 | 12% |
| This is my first visit! | 139 | 22% |
| VPAP.org is: | Agree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|
| Timely | 97% | 3% |
| Accurate | 97% | 3% |
| Fair and Unbiased | 99% | 1% |
| Easy to Navigate | 96% | 4% |
| Well Documented | 97% | 3% |
| My First Choice for Campaign Finance | 96% | 4% |
Please rank the following new services that VPAP might provide:
| Donors to Congressional Candidates | 878 |
| Total Giving by Company/Employees | 975 |
| More Local Elections | 992 |
| Information About Smaller PACs that Disclose on Paper | 1221 |
| Easier Way to Print Pages | 1454 |
| Easier to Read on Handheld Devices | 1529 |
Note: Lowest Aggregate Score indicates Highest Priority
Do you access the internet on your cell phone?
| Yes | 38% |
| No | 62% |
11/17/2009
New PAC Registrations
VPAP has posted information on four new PACs that have registered with the State Board of Elections:
- Aqua America (Federal PAC)
- Friends of McKinley Price for Mayor (Leadership Committee - McKinley Price for Newport News Mayor)
- Progressive Victory Fund (Leadership Committee - Jeanette Rishell)
- Women's Campaign Forum (Federal PAC)
11/17/2009
Lobbyist Disclosures
2008-09 Lobbyist Spending Reports
VPAP has posted the first batch of lobbyist spending reports for activity between May 2008 and April 2009.
This initial list includes the 151 clients who reported the most spending during 2008-09. In the weeks ahead, VPAP will continue to post additional clients in descending order of reported expenses.
When it comes to lobbying, Virginia is a disclosure-based state. Unlike many states, Virginia places few restrictions on the interaction between registered lobbyists and officials from executive and legislative branches. Once a year, lobbyists are required to disclose their activities and itemize certain types of expenses.
Top Spenders
Note: Allowable differences in the way lobbyists report compensation and event expenses can make an "apple-to-apple" comparison difficult. For instance, some lobbyists report all of their compensation, while others prorate compensation based on the amount of time spent in direct lobbying.
Entertainment Expenses
Lobbyists are required to fill out a disclosure form each time they spend more than $50 entertaining legislative and executive branch officials. If the cost per person is more than $50, the lobbyist is required to list officials' names.
11/12/2009
Campaign Finance in the News
Richmond Times-Dispatch 11/20/2009
Ex-Mathieson Aide Indicted
Associated Press 11/17/2009
Supreme Court Ruling Could Play Role In 2010 Governor's Races
Virginian-Pilot 10/31/2009
Money Pours in House Races
Virginian-Pilot 10/30/2009
CNU President Sent Fundraising Letter for Hamilton
Daily Progress 10/30/2009
Business PAC Big Donor in Albemarle Races
MORE CAMPAIGN FINANCE ARTICLES
The VPAP Feed
Below is an automated list of off-site blogs that mention the Virginia Public Access Project. The views expressed on these blogs do not represent those of the Virginia Public Access Project. VPAP neither compliles nor moderates these lists, which are auto-generated.
Via Google Blog Search:
- www.roanokefreepress.com: 11/20/2009
- masonconservative.typepad.com: 11/20/2009
- blog.vivianpaige.com: 11/20/2009
- rootswire.org: 11/19/2009
- www.bluevirginia.us: 11/19/2009
- roanokevalleyrepublicans.blogspot.com: 11/19/2009
- virginia.watchdog.org: 11/19/2009
- virginia.watchdog.org: 11/18/2009
- illinoiselectionblawg.blogspot.com: 11/18/2009
- techblog.gr: 11/18/2009
Via technorati.com:
- feeds09.technorati.com: 11/09/2009
