“Come On,” Indeed

The Washington Post today editorializes on Katie Webb, the lobbyist for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, and her decision to write what The Post calls a “refreshingly straightforward” letter to six Republicans who asked for money for their campaigns’ treasuries. In her letter, she said no and why.

So in a retaliatory move (much like the GOP’s attempt to remove sales tax exemptions for businesses because the business community supported higher taxes), the GOP called her letter bribery.

In a letter to Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore (R), Republican Caucus Chairman R. Steven Landes (Augusta) said he believes the lobbyist's statement violates laws that cover bribery. "Ms. Webb's suggestion that . . . financial support is contingent upon how we vote creates the impression that this lobbyist is engaged in a systematic effort to trade votes on specific legislation for financial support," Landes wrote.

Remember: Steve Landes is also the guy who said during the budget debate that Virginia should stand by its long-standing tradition of considering expenditures and income separately -- as if they don’t impact each other.

Of course, groups give to candidates because they support their issues. But leave it to Sen. Dick Saslaw (D-Fairfax) to be, as The Post’s editorial says of Webb’s letter, “[r]ight on the money.”

Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) defended Webb and said her organization's actions were no different from those of the National Rifle Association, which rarely gives money to lawmakers who support gun control.

"This is just the most absurd thing I've ever heard. Why would [the hospital association] want to contribute to the campaigns of someone who never supports their issues?" he said, adding that the Republicans' effort is "tantamount to extortion. They are saying, give to my campaign or I'll report you to the attorney general. The voters ought to show them the door."

Comments

[Delegate Steve Landes]

Regarding your "Come On," Indeed article. Let's face it if a member of the legislature had done what Ms. Webb did you would be calling for their resignation. Apparently your publication promotes double standards. Wrong is wrong, and what Ms. Webb did was unethical, and possibly illegal. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue, but honesty in government issue.

Also, apparently you continue to miss the point about having taxes and the budget considered separately. I never said that they don't impact each other. Until the 1980s when the Senate Finance Committee began to consider the state budget, all revenue issues were considered by the House Finance Committee and Senate Finance Committee, and all budget items were considered by the House Appropriations Committee. The reason being the founding fathers wanted those who taxed the citizens and those who spent those taxes to have a check and balance on each other. If you look at the U.S. Congress that is still the way business is conducted. You continue to miss that point, which I made during the General Assembly Session.

[Shaula Evans]

Bravo for highlighting this story, Bob.

I should be beyond shock at this point, but nonetheless, I am astounded at the sheer, unbridled hubris of Virginia Republicans in thinking that they are *entitled* to lobbyist money, regardless of their performance on issues in the legislature. Come to think of it, I have no reason to be suprised, since they seem to regard their relationship with voters in the same way.

I am already a fan of Ms. Webb, but it has been an absolute pleasure to watch her stand her ground (easy to do when one is right, even in the face of these barking bullies) and stare down the hystrionic ravings of the GOP.

And, Senator Saslaw is absolutely right: calling for an investigation by (Republican) Attorney General Kilgore is mob-style racketeering. The Republicans have gone beyond poor taste and poor sense at this point to a partisan protection scam.

All I can say is, I am looking forward to setting this to rights in November 2005.