Virginia Lawmakers Blow Campaign Finance Probe Again

They had one job.

what’s happening: A state commission tasked with comprehensively reviewing Virginia’s notorious campaign finance laws did not convene a single meeting last year, reports Graham Moomaw of Virginia Mercury.

• It is the second year in a row that the Commission has failed to produce a report examining reform options and is the only reason the Commission exists.

Important reasons: Virginia’s campaign finance laws are unusually permissive, allowing unlimited donations to politicians, who can use the money for pretty much anything, including campaigns and personal use.

What they say: “Senator Lionel Spruill, a Democrat from Chesapeake and co-chair of the committee, told The Mercury.

• He says the job came unwittingly to him while he was chairman of the Senate election committee.
• Those with reform ideas are welcome to “bring it to the table,” Westmoreland Republican Rep. Margaret Ransone, who co-chairs the committee with Spruill, told Mercury.

Catch up soon: Members of Parliament have created committees to reach consensus on thorny issues.

• A resolution of the General Assembly pointed to “exploding election costs,” with candidates spending more than $1 million in 30 state legislative elections in 2019.

Opposite side: Opponents of reforming the Virginia system argue that the existing requirement for politicians to disclose donations over $100 is sufficient to prevent ethical lapses.

What’s next: When the committee missed last year’s deadline, Congress gave it another year.

• It will be up to lawmakers to decide whether to try again or scrap the initiative when they convene next week.