The Washington Post today editorializes on Katie Webb, the lobbyist for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, and her decision to write what The Post calls a “refreshingly straightforward” letter to six Republicans who asked for money for their campaigns’ treasuries. In her letter, she said no and why.
So in a retaliatory move (much like the GOP’s attempt to remove sales tax exemptions for businesses because the business community supported higher taxes), the GOP called her letter bribery.
In a letter to Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore (R), Republican Caucus Chairman R. Steven Landes (Augusta) said he believes the lobbyist’s statement violates laws that cover bribery.
“Ms. Webb’s suggestion that . . . financial support is contingent upon how we vote creates the impression that this lobbyist is engaged in a systematic effort to trade votes on specific legislation for financial support,” Landes wrote.
Remember: Steve Landes is also the guy who said during the budget debate that Virginia should stand by its long-standing tradition of considering expenditures and income separately — as if they don’t impact each other.
Of course, groups give to candidates because they support their issues. But leave it to Sen. Dick Saslaw (D-Fairfax) to be, as The Post’s editorial says of Webb’s letter, “[r]ight on the money.”
Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) defended Webb and said her organization’s actions were no different from those of the National Rifle Association, which rarely gives money to lawmakers who support gun control.
“This is just the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. Why would [the hospital association] want to contribute to the campaigns of someone who never supports their issues?” he said, adding that the Republicans’ effort is “tantamount to extortion. They are saying, give to my campaign or I’ll report you to the attorney general. The voters ought to show them the door.”