GOP supports efforts to restrict parties' fundraising in session

RICHMOND

State lawmakers can't accept campaign contributions during the General Assembly session.

The idea is to avoid the appearance of money influencing legislation.

State political parties, however, can raise money during the session. Republicans are backing a bill this year that they say would help close a loophole.

Democrats say it's all about politics.

The bill's purpose, they say, is to attack the Democratic Party of Virginia's biggest fundraiser, the annual Jefferson-Jackson Celebration, a dinner held in February - in the middle of the session.

Last year, the guest speaker

was presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, who helped net about $700,000 for state Democrats. This year's dinner also could draw high-profile speakers, because the Feb. 9 event comes three day s before Virginia's presidential primary election on Feb. 12.

"There's an underlying intent to get the J and J," said Del. Kenny Alexander, D-Portsmouth, referring to the event by its nickname. "It's targeting Democrats."

The bill, HB322, introduced for the second year in a row by Del. Chris Saxman, R-Staunton, would bar state lawmakers from attending political-party fundraising events during the session. Saxman argued that the presence of legislators makes the functions more desirable to lobbyists who pay top dollar to mingle at a critical time.

"We have been called the wild, wild West of campaign finance," Saxman said. "We all know the issue. Political fundraising goes on during the session, and that's wrong."

He acknowledged the bill is partially aimed at the Jefferson-Jackson Celebration.

"It's not without that reality," Saxman said.

Democrats dismissed Saxman's bill as political maneuvering.

"The Republicans know this bill is something done for partisan gain," said Mark Bergman, spokesman for House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong, D-Martinsville. "It's not about making the General Assembly a better place."

The House Privileges and Elections Committee approved the bill 17-5 on Friday. Last year, the proposal passed the Republican-controlled House before failing in a Senate committee.

Both votes were largely along party lines. The Democratic-controlled Senate makes it unlikely the bill will pass this year.

Alexander, who voted for the bill Friday, said he wants to take the proposal further and prohibit General Assembly members from attending all dinners, receptions and cocktails sponsored by lobbyists during the session.

If Republicans support barring lawmakers from going to fundraisers, "then members should be prevented from going to dinner " with lobbyists, Alexander said.

The House majority leader, Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, said that being entertained by lobbyists during the session is different than outright fundraising.

"They're not handing you a $5,000 check at the door," he said.

Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com