Gifts to Lawmakers Surpass Record

Other top givers were the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association; Dominion Resources, which runs the state's power company; the Virginia League of Conservation Voters; and Altria Group, the parent company of Kraft Foods and tobacco firm Philip Morris. Their most common gift, especially during the legislative session, was a meal at some of Richmond's priciest restaurants.

"We believe in and support Virginia's disclosure laws, and as far as individual gifts go, they speak for themselves," said David Botkins, a spokesman for Dominion, which gave $11,270 in gifts last year.

Del. Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria) declared 30 gifts worth $10,736, including a laptop computer and four tickets to a circus, making him the second-highest recipient last year. Ebbin said he sees nothing wrong with accepting gifts if they are properly disclosed.

"I think if you put things out in the open, there is less cause to question. The public has the right to know," he said. "I wouldn't accept something that would cause me to change my position."

Six payday loan companies and their trade association, the Community Financial Services Association, spent more than $6,000 to fly Dels. Phillip A. Hamilton (R-Newport News) and Robert Tata (R-Virginia Beach) to the Masters in Augusta, Ga.

The industry has been fighting calls for the General Assembly to impose stiffer regulations on payday lenders.

Jamie Fulmer, a spokesman for Advance America, the nation's largest payday loan company, said that the industry supports Virginia's disclosure laws but that "it's always been our policy to not discuss gifts or contributions."

The Cable Show, an annual trade show, flew Del. Terry G. Kilgore (R-Scott) to Las Vegas to explain to legislators from other states how Virginia passed compromise legislation two years ago to open the cable industry up to more competition.

"A lot of these opportunities show how Virginia is leading the nation," said Kilgore, who declared $6,865 in gifts last year. "It's a great way to share ideas and get ideas."

The General Assembly is considering a proposal this year that would ban any legislator or statewide official from attending a fundraising event during the legislative session that is put on by an individual or group that contributed money to them in the previous year. The House approved the bill, but it is expected to be amended or killed in the Senate.

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (R-Prince William), who declared $1,918 in gifts last year, said he supports the proposal, even though he thinks Virginia's disclosure laws are working.

"I doubt that we have a problem in Virginia with ethics, because everything is out in the open," he said.