The old saying goes there’s no such thing as a free lunch. But what about elected officials? Should they have to track the value of every meal they are given?
The case against former Governor Bob McDonnell was that he took things in exchange for official actions, a prosecution that will be heard before the United States Supreme Court this week. That’s why Carl Tobias at the University of Richmond Law School says tightening up on rules about gifts no-brainer.
“People who have looked at it closely believe that there is need for stricter ethics rules, and so anything that moves in that direction seems to me to be valuable."
But lawmakers are not moving in that direction. Just last week, they rejected an amendment from Governor Terry McAuliffe that would force them to track the dollar amount of every free meal they eat. Lawmakers say that’s too much trouble.
"I understand their argument," says Virginia legal expert Rich Kelsey.
“But this is an awful tough time, tough tough time to be taking a position in opposition to tightening up on influencing of politicians because everybody thinks they are bought and sold anyway."
The governor has the final say. In the next month, he can accept the version that emerged from the General Assembly … which allows free meals, as long as they are worth $20 or less each … or veto the bill altogether.
