Court: State can’t privacy advocate from publishing most records found on government websites

AFP

In an order signed Wednesday, United States District Court Judge Robert E. Payne ruled that privacy advocate B.J. Ostergren may post public records that contain Social Security Numbers on her website, despite a 2008 Virginia law prohibiting the dissemination of such information. The injunction, which was agreed upon by Ostergren and Virginia Attorney General Ken…

AG backs effort to clarify state gambling laws

Chris Graham

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli today announced his support for new legislation which clarifies Virginia’s gambling laws. Questions about the law arose in 2010 when a number of Internet gambling businesses started to appear around the Commonwealth. Companion bills, House Bill 1700 and Senate Bill 1195, patroned by Del. Clay Athey (R-Front Royal) and Sen….

Cuccinelli punts on controversial donation

Chris Graham

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said Wednesday that he will donate than $55,000 in campaign money from a contributor who is now under investigation. “We were practicing the principle of presumed innocence with Bobby Thompson, awaiting proof from law enforcement that the money he had given the campaign was either a legitimate donation or was…

Ken Plum: A time of intolerance

Ken Plum

Column by Del. Ken Plum www.kenplum.com   Last week I took the extraordinary step of making a motion on the floor of the House of Delegates that a bill be discharged from a committee. The rules provide for such a motion, but it is seldom made and almost never approved. Had my motion been approved,…

Richmond Reports

Chris Graham

Featured: Sen. Creigh Deeds, Sen. Mark Obenshain Creigh Deeds: Weekly Update www.creighdeeds.com The third full week of the General Assembly session ended in unusual fashion. For the first time in recent memory, the General Assembly took a snow day. Granted we have had difficult weather this winter, beginning with the snow storm in the middle…

RMH, Blue Ridge AHEC to train ‘Promotores de Salud’ to prevent substance abuse

AFP

   Staff Report News tips: [email protected] RMH Community Health and Blue Ridge Area Health Education Center are partnering to offer substance abuse prevention training to Hispanic men and women to serve as resources to their communities as lay health promoters. The training event will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 6 at Harrisonburg Mennonite…

Task force offers ideas to governor

AFP

Proposals for dealing with nonviolent offenders using alternative punishments Staff Report News Tips: [email protected] Gov. Tim Kaine today received recommendations on ways the Commonwealth can most effectively and efficiently utilize its public-safety resources from the Alternatives for Non-Violent Offenders Task Force. The Task Force has provided more than a dozen recommendations to protect public safety…

Concerns regarding terror trials

AFP

  Column by Rob Wittman www.wittman.house.gov Recently we all have learned that Attorney General Eric Holder has planned to bring several of the 9/11 attack masterminds to New York City for trial. As you know, I’ve been a voice from the beginning, against bringing these terrorists to the Commonwealth for trial or detention, and I…

Press Briefing | Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

Chris Graham

Monday, Oct. 19 Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is joined in the press briefing by Dr. Jared Bernstei, deputy assistant to the president on economic policy, and Melody Barnes, director of the Domestic Policy Council. MR. GIBBS: Good after – or good morning, I should say. Sorry, I’m used to doing this in the afternoon. Before…