The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
The recession didn't keep Virginia lawmakers away from fine restaurants and travel last year, courtesy of lobbyists.
General Assembly members reported accepting $222,937 in freebies last year.
Sen. Yvonne Miller, D-Norfolk, led all 140 legislators by reporting $8,599 of goodies. She attended two seminars outside Virginia on the tab of special interests.
Miller also reported getting $600 in basketball and football tickets and souvenirs from Norfolk State University, $400 in passes to Tidewater Tides baseball games from Norfolk Southern Corp., and $950 in lodging and tickets at Colonial Williamsburg from the foundation that runs the tourist attraction.
In addition to the gifts from special interests, Miller ran up $8,903 in travel at the expense of taxpayers - also the top figure in the General Assembly. She attended four conferences on issues affecti ng state governments - in New Orleans; Omaha, Neb.; Oklahoma City; and Lexington, Ky.
Miller, chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee, through the years has been one of the General Assembly's most prolific travelers.
"One of the things we really want our legislators to be is knowledgeable about things around the country that may benefit Virginia citizens," she said.
Virginia does not limit the amount legislators can accept from special interests; it requires only that any expenditure of $50 or more be reported.
Lawmakers turned in their annual disclosure statements last month. A computer analysis of the disclosures was released Tuesday by the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonprofit that runs databases detailing campaign and lobbying finances.
All told, special interests last year treated legislators to $118,357 in travel and accommodations at conferences, $60,265 in meals, $18,987 in tickets to sporting events, $7,450 in speaking fees, $4,322 in theater passes, $2,850 in gifts, and $1,845 in theme-park tickets.
Sen. Kenneth Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, made what has become an annual hunting trip with the Virginia Sheriffs' Association. Last year they went elk hunting in Montana.
Stolle, a former policeman, defends allowing the group to pick up his $2,373 tab.
"I work closely with the sheriffs shepherding their legislation through the General Assembly, and the hunting trips gives us a chance to get to know each other better," he said.
Stolle said he would support the association even if he never went hunting with them.
Sen. Patricia Ticer, D-Alexandria, and Del. Jim Scott, D-Fairfax, went to Taiwan last year, courtesy of that country, to attend its presidential inauguration. Seven lawmakers traveled to Israel on the tabs of various Jewish groups.
Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, went on a $5,659 trip to Norway's Bodo University to attend a conference on offshore energy exploration, an endeavor he has advocated in Virginia. His bill was paid for by HBW Resources, an alternative-energy advocate.
"It was a weeklong fact-finding trip as well as an educational trip," Wagner said.
Staff writer Julian Walker contributed to this story.
Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com
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How can this be?
I thought it was onlt Republicans who are so corrupt as far as accepting these kinds of (ahem) gifts, if one was to ever believe the Pilot! man, this gal is making a killing! I got a good chuckle out of an earlier post that said, in essence, "so what about what she's getting, her vote isn;t for sale!"
Really? Thes lobbying firmns are staffed by career lobbyists, people who know that trade. They won't continue investing in anyone if there's not a payoff, and the word gets around on who can be bought and who can't. Lobbying epitomises the term "return on investment".
wrong lobbyists
I guess the "cut the pork and balance the budget", the "3rd crossing, get it done", and the "hey you're an elected representative, do your job" lobbyists need to step up the perks.
I'd like to know what Sal and Bob have to say about all this
amount each received $0.
Senator Miller Serves Her Constituents Well
Why try to make a story where there is no story. The amount money listed is simply peanuts. It shows the level of integrity for Senator Miller that she reported all amounts, which added up to be very little. I could see if you were talking about $100,000 plus. I know Senator Miller and those of us that know her know that her vote cannot be bought. It doesn't matter how much she gets. She is a very strong
woman with high moral and ethical standards. Her constituents are proud to have her as their senator.
So What!!
We vote these people into office, year after year. So people, especially you, who don't vote. Why are you complaining? Special interest groups, fund these people's re-election. And pour freebies onto them. Who do you think they are going to represent? You or special interest groups. You don't bite the hand that feed you.
Hypocracy
if it was a fat bald middle aged guy in a suit you all would be screeching and howling like a pack of rabid dogs. Give me a break.
A simple and easy fix...
T E R M L I M I T S !
Taxes
Did our elected officals pay taxes on these gifts?
Lobbyist
I do not like the lobbyist groups that penetrate our politics. Lobbying is just the legal, 'political correct' word for BRIBERY. Even that Stolle guy alludes to it in his comments. Quite frankly, if our elected officials operated for the greater good of the constituency, there would be no need for this kind of political transaction.
bought and paid for politicians not new
There is nothing new about our "bough and paid for elected officials". Just ask Thelma Drake who was bought and paid for by George Bush and Dick Cheney.