Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
Sen. Yvonne Miller was the top recipient of gifts and trips given to Virginia's 140 state lawmakers last year.
Miller, D-Norfolk, reported $15,594 in total receipts, according to her annual financial disclosure report filed last month.
Miller, one of Hampton Roads' most senior lawmakers, has been at or near the top of the list of recipients for several years.
Her total includes $9,122 from private sources, primarily lobbyists, and $6,472 from state taxpayers, generally reimbursements for travel to legislative conferences.
A message left at her Richmond office seeking comment was not returned Wednesday, but an aide to Miller said the senator meticulously reports any gift she receives.
In the past, Miller has said attending legislative conferences can spark ideas for bills. It also helps make her a more effective lawmaker, she has said.
Three other senior lawmakers received more than $10,000 in gifts and travel reimbursements: Sen. Charles Colgan, D-Prince William County, $15,086; House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford County, $13,435; and Sen. Tommy Norment, R-James City County, $10,448.
The China-United States Exchange Foundation spent nearly $11,500 to send Colgan and his wife to China in September, along with six senators from other states.
Colgan said the trip gave him a chance to exchange governing ideas with Chinese officials and "spread some goodwill and sell Virginia" to potential foreign investors.
Lawmakers are required to report gifts valued over $50 and trips valued over $200.
The next-biggest recipients of gifts and trips among South Hampton Roads lawmakers were Sen. Frederick Quayle, R-Suffolk, $5,045; Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, $5,043; Del. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, $4,991; Sen. Harry Blevins, R-Chesapeake, $2,599; Del. Bob Tata, R-Virginia Beach, $2,851; Sen. L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, $1,810; Del. Kenny Alexander, D-Norfolk, $1,103; Del. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, $780; and Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk, $595.
Data from the reports were compiled and released Wednesday by the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonprofit organization that tracks contributions to state politicians.
Statewide, the value of gifts to lawmakers declined 25 percent from 2008 - $331,000 to $252,000.
David Poole, executive director of VPAP, attributed the decline to two factors: fewer high-dollar receptions during the 2009 General Assembly session - perhaps because of the stagnant economy - and the unusually large number of newly elected lawmakers, who haven't had much time to attract gifts.
Bill Sizemore, (804) 697-1560, bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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On a streak
Wow this is the 2nd year in a row as No. 1, isn't it? Not to mention the last 8 to 10 years she's been in the top 10! The poster child for fairness and impartialty. Congrats.
Virginia legislators disclose all gifts over $50.
In a lot of states you would never even know about these little gifts or contributions. If a lobbyist delivers a fruit basket in Richmond it comes with a receipt to indicate it's value. This is an amazing amount of transparency. This information is published every year about every legislator and all it does is illicit a couple of complaints from whiners. If you don't like the job that your "greedy hack" is doing then why don't you run and beat them. Give up the time that you spend making money at your job and give up the time with your family and try to make your fortune in Richmond. I dare you. The General Assembly of Virginia is not something that you take on to get rich.
Double Standards ?
Law Enforcment agents are not allowed to accept gifts of any nature. ( not even a free cup of coffee)
the reason being any accepted gifts could hinder thier enforcment of the law.
Shouldn't the people making the laws and representing "the people" follow the same moral code.
Politicians should not be able to recieve any gifts.
The law of the land should be the same for all people.
No gifts to lawmakers ! PERIOD !
Lawmakers should not be able to take a single gift or donation. Until that happens there will never be trust between the citizens and politicians.
Federal Law Enforcment agents are not allowed to take gifts in any form, even a cup of coffee. Why can't we hold the people who make the laws to the same standard.
Enough of double standard laws.
Enforcers can't take gifts because it can cloud thier judgment on enforcing the law. Likewise, shouldn't the people that make the laws follow the same code.
It seems that there is a set of laws for the working class to follow and then the Politicians follow another standard.
The law should be the same for all people. and enforced on all people.
We've had enough corruption !
Gifts to the politicians
The lesson learned here is that if "we the people" stop sending these greedy hacks back to Richmond and DC over and over they won't have enough seniority to gobble up the goodies. You know Ms. Miller, there is no law that says you have to accept the gifts - but maybe you attended the conferences looking for a bill promoting gift giving.
I generally call it......
Prostituting the body politic!
Miller
Check her net worth now versus when she was elected, add in her salary over the years. You will find its very rewarding being an elected official. Good case for term limits.
There it is:
...unusually large number of newly elected lawmakers, who haven’t had much time to attract gifts yet.
As much as I hate anything that is anti-liberty, this is as good an argument for term limits there is. Maybe if all legislators at all levels weren't in the pockets of special interests, they'd remember that they actually represent The People.
$ Talks
The best politicians money can buy!
Rewards of Success
She been a Senator for so long and has so well for her district that I guess she deserved the extra payoff. We know all so well how nicely her district has done under her "LEADERSHIP" (and that of others just like her). Lower crime rates, higher graduation; neighborhood beautification has been non-stop.
Boy, we're doomed.