Transparency News 2/13/17
Monday, February 13, 2017
State and Local Stories
State and Local Stories
Virginians who want to post scathingly honest online reviews on websites such as Yelp and Angie’s List soon could be able to fire away with less fear of getting sued. But whether a new free-speech law pending in the General Assembly extends beyond political speech to cover the increasingly online rating-powered marketplace will depend on how the House of Delegates and Senate reconcile two versions of the bill. Commonly known as anti-SLAPP statutes (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation), the proposals are aimed at cracking down on defamation lawsuits that, despite having little merit, could scare people into holding back their opinions for fear of a costly court case. The legislation doesn't slam the door shut on defamation lawsuits over provably false statements, but some legislators fear it could leave businesses susceptible to damaging attacks on their reputation by competitors or others.
Richmond Times-Dispatch
A few generations and culture wars ago, provocateurs speaking out on college campuses were labeled “outside agitators.” Now they might be called “invited guests.” A day after riots erupted at University of California, Berkeley, over a talk planned by an inflammatory Breitbart editor, a bill protecting free speech at public colleges quietly made it through Virginia’s House of Delegates. “It’s just a restatement of the First Amendment,” said Del. R. Steven Landes, R-Weyers Cave, who sponsored the legislation with 19 co-patrons. “How can anybody be against free speech and promoting free speech?” he said. “Especially on campuses.” It’s not that straightforward, say others who see the bill as unnecessary, if not problematic, and a reflection of a larger, polarizing debate over academic freedom.
Daily Progress
As the Washington Metrorail system readies to move into Loudoun County, the annual costs associated with the transit authority's operations and construction are becoming frighteningly real and worrisome for local officials. Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) indicated last week she had been given “real and honest numbers” on what Metro would cost going forward -- numbers she said would be impossible to pay for Loudoun and other jurisdictions. But despite her provocative statement, Randall isn't disclosing any figures, nor is Ralph Buona (R-Ashburn), county administration or Metro (WMATA).
Loudoun Times-Mirror
The Virginia School Board Association's Code of Conduct, detailing a code of ethics for School Board members, has one empty signature line this year. The code, which garnered much attention and discussion at the Williamsburg-James City County school board's first two regular meetings of the year, was signed Tuesday night by each board member except Sandra Young (JCC Berkeley). She signed last year, but declined to do so this year. The code is a document the board reads and signs at the start of each year as a promise to the division that above all they will advocate for students and improve public education. It has 12 lines with specifics on upholding that promise. Young, who signed the same document at the start of her first year on the board in 2016, this year opposed line nine which reads, "I will refrain from using the board position for personal or partisan gain and avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety."
Virginia Gazette
National Stories
The Federal Bureau of Investigation will lift all restrictions on its online system for filing public-records requests and limit the amount of personal information users must provide, an FBI spokeswoman told the Daily Dot on Tuesday. Revelations concerning the expanded capabilities of the FBI's online records portal, which will launch on March 1, follow reports on Monday that the agency would no longer accept Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests via email and would further limit the types and volume of records that requesters could make online. A terms-of-service agreement on the FBI’s website outlined restrictions for users of its online FOIA-submissions portal, dubbed eFOIPA. The terms stipulated that “not all requests” could be made through the portal and accepted requests would be limited to “events, organizations, first party requests (Privacy Act requests), and deceased individuals.” FBI emails and other types of agency correspondence, which are often requested under FOIA, were excluded from the list, indicating they could only be requested via fax or standard mail.
The Daily Dot
Editorials/Columns
The battle over the removal from office of Norfolk City Treasurer Anthony Burfoot raises important questions about governance in the city of Norfolk. Burfoot has been convicted of six felonies when he was a member of the Norfolk City Council. A hearing in Norfolk Circuit Court is scheduled for Feb. 22. In the meantime, a convicted felon continues to manage the city’s tax monies, as he has done since his conviction in December. In that light, citizens have the right to ask: Where does responsibility lie? What should be the roles of the city manager and the City Council?
Leonard Ruchelman, Virginian-Pilot
Richmond Times-Dispatch
A few generations and culture wars ago, provocateurs speaking out on college campuses were labeled “outside agitators.” Now they might be called “invited guests.” A day after riots erupted at University of California, Berkeley, over a talk planned by an inflammatory Breitbart editor, a bill protecting free speech at public colleges quietly made it through Virginia’s House of Delegates. “It’s just a restatement of the First Amendment,” said Del. R. Steven Landes, R-Weyers Cave, who sponsored the legislation with 19 co-patrons. “How can anybody be against free speech and promoting free speech?” he said. “Especially on campuses.” It’s not that straightforward, say others who see the bill as unnecessary, if not problematic, and a reflection of a larger, polarizing debate over academic freedom.
Daily Progress
As the Washington Metrorail system readies to move into Loudoun County, the annual costs associated with the transit authority's operations and construction are becoming frighteningly real and worrisome for local officials. Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) indicated last week she had been given “real and honest numbers” on what Metro would cost going forward -- numbers she said would be impossible to pay for Loudoun and other jurisdictions. But despite her provocative statement, Randall isn't disclosing any figures, nor is Ralph Buona (R-Ashburn), county administration or Metro (WMATA).
Loudoun Times-Mirror
The Virginia School Board Association's Code of Conduct, detailing a code of ethics for School Board members, has one empty signature line this year. The code, which garnered much attention and discussion at the Williamsburg-James City County school board's first two regular meetings of the year, was signed Tuesday night by each board member except Sandra Young (JCC Berkeley). She signed last year, but declined to do so this year. The code is a document the board reads and signs at the start of each year as a promise to the division that above all they will advocate for students and improve public education. It has 12 lines with specifics on upholding that promise. Young, who signed the same document at the start of her first year on the board in 2016, this year opposed line nine which reads, "I will refrain from using the board position for personal or partisan gain and avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety."
Virginia Gazette
National Stories
The Federal Bureau of Investigation will lift all restrictions on its online system for filing public-records requests and limit the amount of personal information users must provide, an FBI spokeswoman told the Daily Dot on Tuesday. Revelations concerning the expanded capabilities of the FBI's online records portal, which will launch on March 1, follow reports on Monday that the agency would no longer accept Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests via email and would further limit the types and volume of records that requesters could make online. A terms-of-service agreement on the FBI’s website outlined restrictions for users of its online FOIA-submissions portal, dubbed eFOIPA. The terms stipulated that “not all requests” could be made through the portal and accepted requests would be limited to “events, organizations, first party requests (Privacy Act requests), and deceased individuals.” FBI emails and other types of agency correspondence, which are often requested under FOIA, were excluded from the list, indicating they could only be requested via fax or standard mail.
The Daily Dot
Editorials/Columns
The battle over the removal from office of Norfolk City Treasurer Anthony Burfoot raises important questions about governance in the city of Norfolk. Burfoot has been convicted of six felonies when he was a member of the Norfolk City Council. A hearing in Norfolk Circuit Court is scheduled for Feb. 22. In the meantime, a convicted felon continues to manage the city’s tax monies, as he has done since his conviction in December. In that light, citizens have the right to ask: Where does responsibility lie? What should be the roles of the city manager and the City Council?
Leonard Ruchelman, Virginian-Pilot
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