The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Today's Front Page

January 28, 2012

Green wants halt to fundraising during session

By Mannix Porterfield Register-Herald Reporter

CHARLESTON — Tapping into cash cows to finance election campaigns during a legislative session is a common occurrence that Sen. Mike Green wants to outlaw in West Virginia.

Seeing the practice as one that sends bad signals to the public, Green offered a Senate bill Friday to forbid any member of the Legislature from conducting fundraisers while in session.

“No one enjoys the aspect of fundraising, but it goes with the territory of running a campaign,” Green, D-Raleigh, said.

Yet, the senator feels the idea of putting a hit on lobbyists and others while the Legislature is meeting is wrong.

“Fundraising during the regular session creates an environment where special interest groups and lobbyists may feel undue pressure to contribute to ensure successful advocacy of their legislative agendas,” Green said in support of SB445.

Green acknowledged the practice is “technically legal,” without running afoul of the ethics law.

However, he said the idea “gives the wrong impression and shows a lack of judgment” when pending legislation hasn’t been decided.

“I’m confident the success or failure of a piece of legislation would not be dependent upon participation in fundraising events, but it fundamentally goes against the concept of open and transparent government,” the Beckley resident said.

Within the past two years, Green said it has become common for legislative leaders to conduct fundraising events while lawmakers are in session.

“When you have high-ranking members of legislative leadership hosting fundraisers in the early stages of the regular session, it puts the entire process in a poor light,” Green said.

The senator said he holds “the utmost respect” for the legislative process and has the “highest regard” for the state Senate.

On the other hand, “I do not want to sit idly by and not address a practice I feel is fundamentally wrong,” he said.

“I feel if this legislation is passed, it will go a long way in restoring public confidence in the process. I would encourage the Senate leadership to make this a priority and expedite this legislation.”

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