ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 25, 1997 TAG: 9702250090
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
VIRGINIA lawmakers' notion of campaign-finance reform is sort of like deodorizing a dog that reeks of garbage by dousing it with skunk scent. Their solution does not improve the situation. Neither does it pass the smell test.
The campaign-finance-reform bill they've approved is, in fact, a sham.
Ostensibly, the legislators' intent is to prohibit themselves from soliciting or accepting campaign contributions while the General Assembly is in session. The bill's purpose is on target: It doesn't look good for lawmakers to be putting the money squeeze on lobbyists at the very time they're acting on lobbyists' legislation. It looks like - well, like what it is.
But the bill misses the mark. It doesn't prevent political parties or partisan caucuses from raising money during General Assembly sessions on the legislators' behalf - and with the legislators' help.
Absurdly, the bill also exempts legislators who face ``contested'' elections. And guess what: ``Contested'' isn't defined. Maybe it could exempt them all.
The honorables, presumably, will make some defense of this legislation to the electorate. Maybe they can explain, for instance - if it looks/smells/is wrong for lawmakers to solicit contributions from special-interest lobbyists during the legislative sessions - why it becomes acceptable when lawmakers face opposition.
And if this is wrong to do as individuals, what makes it OK collectively? Or OK to rake in big sums from lobbyists the day before the session opens, but not 24 hours later?
Maybe they can explain who it is they think they're kidding.
By passing this bill, lawmakers concede that the amounts of money special interests are pouring into their campaigns give the appearance of a legislative auction. Not so, they and the big contributors insist. They're only buying ``access'' or a ``respectful hearing.'' The contributions still are worth something, however, to the contributors.
And if lawmakers want to change the perception, they need to put limits on the amounts that can be given. This bill is a cynical attempt to stay awash in special-interest funds while pretending to clean up their act.
LENGTH: Short : 45 linesby CNB