A study on the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, which was three years in the making has been completed, however, little or no changes have been recommended.
Virginia’s FOIA law now contains 175 exemptions, including the records of the governor and his Cabinet, lawmakers and their aides, university presidents and city managers. Also, almost all police records are exempt.
After three years of study, the only real change is lifting the exemption for the subscriber list to Virginia Wildlife magazine.
In a response from the Virginia Press Association, Chairman Dick Hammerstrom voiced concerns, “I’m disappointed. I think there are important issues still left out there.”
The General Assembly is scheduled to begin on Jan. 11 where the council’s recommendations and likely other changes to FOIA will be discussed.
We need the swamp drained in VA. There are too many political Democratic appointees, that refuse to let the people be heard and realize they work for us!