Va. awarded ‘F’ in campaign fund disclosure
By: William C. Flook
Examiner Staff Writer
June 26, 2009
Virginia, a state whose campaign finance regulations are built around transparency, received a failing grade for its disclosure laws in a 50-state report that was released by the Center for Public Integrity.
The commonwealth ranked 31st in the nation and was one of 20 states to receive an “F” for how it regulated campaign finance disclosure in legislative races, according to the center.
A decade ago, Virginia had placed eighth. But its laws surrounding the reporting of money in politics have remained largely unchanged since then, while other states have improved, the center said in a report on the rankings.
Though Virginia lawmakers are required to complete an annual statement of economic interest, as well as disclose information on their employment and investments, “the state lacks the necessary oversight to ensure that the forms are filled out correctly,” the center said.
“While other states have made efforts to ensure accuracy, often with the creation of an independent commission, Virginia’s legislators are mostly left to police themselves,” the group said.
