ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995 TAG: 9512200058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
Candidates spent more than $20 million in General Assembly elections this year, more than twice as much as in races four years ago.
"Everyone must be appalled," said Del. Marian VanLandingham, an Alexandria Democrat who heads a panel that considers campaign finance laws.
Yet the spending surge is not expected to stir the 1996 General Assembly to put a clamp on campaign contributions.
There remains a consensus among lawmakers that limits on the amount of money from any individual or corporation will not work, because contributors will find ways to skirt the law.
Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, a Democrat, noted that when Maryland imposed a $4,000 limit, people began listing gifts under the names of spouses, children and co-workers. "Everybody is good for $4,000," he said.
Instead of setting limits, the General Assembly is more likely to strengthen enforcement of existing disclosure laws. A computer analysis this fall by The Roanoke Times and its sister paper in Norfolk, The Virginian-Pilot, showed that candidates routinely fail to report occupations and employers of people who give more than $100.
Van Landingham said her committee would recommend budget amendments to computerize campaign finance reports - now available only on paper - and ensure that the Board of Elections has enough staff to monitor compliance. "One of the best things we can do is to get that office shaped up," she said.
Virginia is one of eight states where the sky is the limit for campaign contributions. The wide-open nature of the system was in full display this fall as Democrats and Republicans fought an unprecedented battle for control of the General Assembly.
Candidates for the 140 seats reported spending a total of $20.9 million through Nov. 30, according to the newspapers' computer analysis of campaign finance reports.
That is more than twice as much as the $10.2 million that candidates spent in 1991, the most recent time all seats were up for re-election.
One indicator of increased spending is that membership in the once-exclusive $100,000 club became almost commonplace. One-quarter of major-party candidates for the House of Delegates and 60 percent in the Senate spent $100,000 or more.
Another development was the influence of so-called "jumbo" contributors who - with the stroke of a pen - were able to change the dynamics of individual races.
In the Roanoke Valley, Edward and Peter Via wrote checks totaling $211,000 - most of that going to the two GOP challengers to Democratic Dels. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum and Richard Cranwell.
On a statewide level, Smithfield Foods pitched $125,000 to Gov. George Allen's ill-fated bid to overthrow the legislative Democrats. The contribution generated headlines because it came at a time when the Allen administration was deciding whether to levy fines against Smithfield for water pollution violations.
Del. James Dillard, a Fairfax County Republican, is one lawmaker who is troubled by six-figure contributions.
"Although we say it's providing access, realistically you have to ask if they'll get more than access, but special consideration," Dillard said.
Still, Dillard is no fan of contribution limits. He would rather see big corporate money offset by greater numbers of individuals giving $15 and $25.
Dillard will be back next year with legislation that would provide small campaign contributors tax breaks of up to $50 for individuals and $100 for families. His bill passed the House of Delegates but never was considered by the Senate Finance Committee.
"The real solution to campaign finance reform is to get the public more involved," he said.
LENGTH: Medium: 72 linesby CNB