In 2008, Virginia legislators accepted trips abroad, tickets to NASCAR events and football games, free dinners and an assortment of other goodies, according to their Statements of Economic Interest.
The top giver was the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, which paid $4,500 apiece to send eight legislators on a trip to Israel. The recipients of that trip included state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath and then-Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria, both candidates for the Democratic nomination to run for governor; and Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick of Prince William, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.
Deeds said the trip was "an unbelievable experience," from a religious standpoint and from learning how Israel has fashioned a successful economy.
"That's important for the next governor," he said.
Taiwan and Norway: The government of Taiwan paid for four legislators to attend the inauguration of its president. This trip was valued at $4,600 each. Sens. Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, and Patricia S. Ticer, D-Alexandria, and Dels. Mark D. Sickles, D-Fairfax, and Edward T. Scott, R-Madison, journeyed to Taiwan. State Sen. Frank W. Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, went to Norway for an Arctic study tour, courtesy of HBW Resources. Wagner, a leading proponent of offshore oil drilling, said that on the trip, valued at $5,658, he learned from seminars and trips up the west coast of Norway how Norway's offshore oil industry functions.
Dominion Virginia Resources was the top gift-giver among entities that have lobbying interests with the General Assembly, according to the reports filed with the clerks of the Senate and the House of Delegates and compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. It listed its giving at $13,262, mostly for dinners with small groups of legislators.
Taxpayer-funded trips: The reports show that a number of lawmakers also went on taxpayer-financed trips, attending meetings of the National Conference of State Legislators, the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Chesapeake Bay Commission and other groups. Sen. Yvonne B. Miller, D-Norfolk, was the top recipient of taxpayer-funded trips, with $8,902. She also was the leading gift recipient from nontaxpayers, $8,598.
Miller said the trips helped educate her about issues likely to come before the General Assembly and the Commerce and Labor Committee that she heads.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine reported receiving $71,883, much of it for political speaking engagements. Barack Obama's campaign paid more than $46,000 on campaign-related trips by Kaine. Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET, paid $1,500 for Kaine's airfare to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Steaks, hoops and eye care: The legislators were wined and dined at some of Richmond's pricier establishments: Morton's Steakhouse, The Jefferson Hotel, Buckhead's, and Bookbinders. Verizon paid $76 apiece to take four legislators to a basketball tournament at the Siegel Center in Richmond.
Allergan paid $112.74 apiece to several legislators for eye screenings. Del. Samuel A. Nixon Jr., R-Chesterfield, reported receiving $600 worth of eye-care services. Nixon said he reported this because his eye doctor provides free contact lenses and sometimes calls him about issues.
Nixon yesterday successfully pushed through the House General Laws Committee a bill that would toughen the disclosure standards for lobbyists. They would have to report the specific number of the bill for which they are lobbying or against. Now many lobbyists give only vague information about their lobbying activities.
Nixon said the gifts exert no influence on him.
"I vote for and against bills" pushed by lobbyists who give gifts, he said.
Ham, beer, hunting trips: Smithfield Foods gave Del. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, sliced ham valued at $58. Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond, reported receiving $50 from the Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association for "beer for an event." Del. William R. Janis, R-Henrico, accepted hunting trips from Community Loans of America, Comcast and Hospital Corp. of America, valued at $75 each.
The law requires legislators to report gifts or entertainment valued at $50 or more. There is evidence that not everyone follows the law.
The statements that the legislators file do not always include information about the expenditures lobbyists disclose on the reports they must file with the secretary of the commonwealth's office.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or
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