The Virginia General Assembly on Wednesday rejected a campaign finance reform bill that would have prohibited elected officials from spending political contributions on personal expenses such as mortgages, vacations and gym memberships for another year.
Virginia allows unlimited donations from individuals, corporations, and special interest groups, but its lack of such a ban is an outlier nationally, and General Assembly supporters have been pushing candidates for more than a decade. efforts have been made to place personal spending limits on people’s spending.
Their hopes that the bill would reach Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk this year ended with an unrecorded audio vote in the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. That’s because the bill was the last personal use ban still in place. Another version died in the House of Delegates earlier this session because there was no public hearing.
Virginia election officials ask voters not to mail absentee ballots amid delivery concerns
Democratic Rep. Luke Torian, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said he and Democratic House Speaker Don Scott hope to pass the bill next year. He did not explain the reason for the delay.
“This will therefore be one of the priorities we face during the 2025 session,” he said.
Democratic state Rep. Mark Sickles said he “reluctantly” moved to move the bill to next year.
Virginia State Capitol (March 4, 2010, Richmond, Virginia). The Virginia General Assembly failed to pass a campaign finance reform bill that would prohibit elected officials from spending political contributions on personal expenses, an issue that has been debated for more than a year. Ten years. (AP Photo/Steve Herber, File)
Lawmakers have always positioned the issue as something they would like to address, while delaying action. Yonkin has not publicly commented on the issue, saying only that his office will consider the proposed legislation.
The failed bill, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Jennifer Boisko, would have prohibited candidates from diverting campaign funds to “personal use,” which is a law that “exists regardless of personal purpose or ownership.” defined as expenditures on “promises, obligations, and expenses”. Or to hold office. ”
Currently, members of Congress are prohibited from diverting campaign funds for personal use only if they close their accounts. An Associated Press investigation into the state’s campaign finance system in 2016 found that some lawmakers frequently used campaign funds to pay for expensive meals, hotels and personal expenses.
The bill includes a list of prohibited expenses, including mortgages, rent, clothing, non-promotional vehicles, country club memberships and vacations. Allowable expenses include child support that is incurred as a direct result of running for or holding public office.
Under the measure, the State Board of Elections would have the option to investigate complaints and potentially impose civil penalties.
Newly elected Republican Rep. Paul Milde said at a previous hearing that the bill is stalling because it’s “beyond my limits.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The only reason some of us resist this even after 10 years is because they want to have the flexibility to buy things that aren’t really campaign-related. And if they can do that… I can’t believe that.’ Let’s not unite on this,” he said.
Boisko’s bill passed the Senate 35-4, but he could not be reached for comment.
The rejection of the bill comes as lawmakers have pursued two paths toward reviewing compensation and deciding whether to increase it or not.
