Web site lists gifts that politicians receive

Staff

Published Thursday, January 29, 2004

Suffolk News-Herald

Local lawmakers are featured prominently on a Web site that details gifts/trips received by legislators during the previous year.

The Virginia Public Access Project posted the 2003 rankings Thursday. Among local lawmakers, Sen. Frederick Quayle, R-13, ranked 11th out of 123 on the site in the amount of largesse accepted.

According to VPAP, Quayle reported receiving $5,737 in trips/gifts, the bulk of which, $5,208, was from the Senate of Virginia.

The remainder was in denominations ranging from $55 to $97 from groups and companies including the Virginia Sheriff's Association PAC, Bon Secours Hampton Roads and Dominion Resources Inc.

Each January, General Assembly members must fill out a Statement of Economic Interests that details their financial holdings and the gifts/trips received during the previous year. This is the third year VPAP has posted the information.

In the House, Del. Chris Jones, R-76th, ranked 23rd, reporting trips/gifts totaling $3,177. The American Legislative Exchange Council topped the list of Jones' benefactors at $2,190. He also reported $676 from the House of Delegates. Remaining gifts ranged from $60 to $90, including gifts from Bon Secours Hampton Roads and Sentara.

Del. Lionel Spruill, D-77th, was at 73rd on list, listing only $603 in gifts/trips, the bulk of which, $415, was from the Virginia Beach Hotel & Motel Association.

The Web site - www.vpap.org - also lists major campaign contributors for each politician. For both Quayle and Jones, the healthcare industry is listed as the largest contributor - $30,225 for Quayle and $34,014 for Jones. real estate/construction was a strong second for each - $21,650 for Quayle and $18,572 for Jones.

Those same industries also topped Spruill's list of contributors - healthcare, $10,575, and real estate/construction, $7,000.

Organized labor also gave Spruill $7,000.

According to its Web site, VPAP "is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that demonstrates how computer technology can improve public knowledge about the role of money in Virginia politics.

"The Project was founded in 1997 on the principle that true campaign finance reform begins with improved disclosure. For decades, Virginia candidates have been required to provide names and occupations of those who contribute of more than $100. But candidates disclosed on paper reports, making it difficult for the public and the press to comprehend the information contained in the virtual avalanche of paperwork that flowed into the State Board of Elections."

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