Special Session a Bonanza for Virginia Legislators

The News & Advance
Published: August 6, 2008

While the legislators fiddled and accomplished nothing at the special session called to raise money for the state’s roads earlier this summer, Virginia’s special interests had a field day. They took advantage of the session to pour money into the campaign treasuries of those who hold state office and those who will be seeking office next year.

The end result after the special session that began June 23 and fizzled out in the wee morning hours of July 10: state transportation, $0; state lawmakers, $2 million.

Not a bad take, especially for those who are seeking statewide office.

As an analysis of the fundraising totals by The Associated Press shows the week of June 23 to 30 was the year’s richest for political fundraising.

State law prohibits lawmakers from accepting money from special interests during the General Assembly’s regular session. The most recent special session offers clear evidence that the prohibition on fundraising should be extended to those sessions, as well.

The AP report shows that Virginia’s largest and most influential corporations took advantage of the session to turn it into a fundraising bazaar for statewide candidates and other legislators of both parties.

Referring to the nearly $2 million contributed to the candidates during the last week in June, Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said, “That just doesn’t happen in the summer, not in an off-year for state elections. Most fundraising is done in the spring and fall.”

The money flowed in during the days before the reporting period ended June 30. With no limits on donations or campaign spending in races for state offices, more than $800,000 poured in on that final day alone.

Fundraising events ranged from a Democratic Party concert at a Richmond nightclub with a $10 admission price for students to an evening of major league baseball in Washington for a $1,000 minimum contribution to benefit a Democrat running for attorney general.

Three of the top five recipients are candidates for governor next year. Republican Bob McDonnell, the current attorney general, and Del. Brian Moran, the House Democratic Caucus chairman, took in about half the largesse doled out by the most influential corporations. McDonnell, who is unopposed for the GOP nomination, held four fundraisers in the final five days of June that netted about $482,000.

Moran took in $472,000 during that same time. He is being opposed by Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County, who gathered $158,000 for his campaign.

Who were the big givers seeking to buy influence over the legislators? Real estate and construction companies were among those most affected by the transportation session. They gave $360,000. Property developers pitched in some $217,000. Other substantial sums came from the technology and communications sector and the finance and insurance industry.

And what do they expect to get in return? It depends, but usually they expect those who benefit from their financial gifts to listen to them when they want a particular piece of legislation or when they oppose a particular bill. The gifts amount to a pure and simple case of buying influence. Not a single one of them would deny that.

If it’s illegal for legislators to solicit or accept campaign contributions during regular legislative sessions, those contributions should be just as illegal during special sessions.

What, pray tell, is the difference, other than the session’s time of year?

There is no difference. An amendment adding the prohibition of campaign money during special sessions to the regular session ban will be one of the first items of business when Virginia’s lawmakers gather in Richmond in 2009.