Capitol Square stares at a new world on ethics

Yes, Virginia, there have been changes in the way your political class observes and practices ethics. And the changes, according to the RTD’s Jeff Schapiro, are rooted in fear:

Seasoned lobbyists in Richmond are taking no chances these days.

Some of them have hired a lawyer steeped in the arcana of Virginia’s election and ethics laws to decipher the do’s and don’t’s in dealing with politicos following the Bob and Maureen McDonnell corruption convictions last month.

“Lots of us are worried about this stuff,” one exasperated lobbyist said privately. “I don’t know what to do. And I’m not the only guy in this pickle. I want to play by the rules. But I sure don’t know what the rules are anymore.”

The lobbyists aren’t the only nervous Nellies in the Cowardly New World that is post-McDonnell Virginia.

Legislators are jittery, too.

And the jitters — a symptom, perhaps, of the DTs — are bringing an end to all sorts of things that, not long ago, were considered perfectly acceptable extensions of the now discredited Virginia Way.

Restaurant owners, travel agents and some retailers will be hardest hit (though the Governor’s newly-installed kegerator may help ease some of the pain).

Reporting requirements have been made more difficult, and much more confusing. So, all sides, especially lobbyists, are being more discreet:

…among the activities they’re now being warned to avoid, lest they be misunderstood by the wrong people: Making campaign contributions in person — a custom in these parts for years. Also, they shouldn’t discuss specific issues before or after making a contribution to a legislator.

It seems as though they may all have been scared straight.

But not entirely.

Business will carry on in capitol square. Lobbyists and interest groups will still plead their cases with lawmakers and money will still find its way. There may be fewer of outward signs of the transactions. But the ledgers will continue to show A giving B amount C in hope of getting D (or at least a budget amendment).

It will be a bonanza for VPAP and others working outside the system to shine a little light on what occurs:

Lawyers are struggling to understand the law; to untangle its confusing features. For instance, it defines gifts differently for lobbyists and legislators. Also, it creates an administrative nightmare for processing disclosure forms, perhaps on paper rather than electronically.

In other words, it’s a jobs program. Not the sort lawmakers typically tout in press releases, and definitely not the kind they have been used to (No swag? The horror).

So yes, Virginia, a little bit of good may yet come out of all this bad. But don’t expect too much to change unless the fear of being frog marched past the George Washington statue in the square takes deep and permanent hold.

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