Del. Bob Marshall proposes new legislation that would curb potential for undisclosed political gifts

According to Virginia’s own ‘Uncle’ Bob Marshall, you know the uncle that everyone wishes wouldn’t show up to the family reunion, he will introduce a bill during the next session of the General Assembly requiring adult family members of elected officials and “certain state employees” to report any gift $100 or above from anyone who conducts business with the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Virginian-Pilot also reports that this bill’s language would apply to legal dependants, spouses, and/or other relatives sharing a home with the respective elected official. Pile on to this the added requirement that gifts made by anyone who conducts business with the state within 12 months of the giving must be disclosed and you have what sounds like a pretty good idea for legislation that will help minimize the potential for purchased political influence and corruption.

It’s rare that Del. Marshall speaks reasonably, so allow me to quote him at length regarding his proposal to make political gifts more transparent: "We need a starting point for serious and prudent discussion that allows the legislature and other state officials to discharge their duties without causing any public concern that decisions or policies adopted by the legislature or actions taken by the Executive are made for any reason other than securing the common good.”

Aside from his stated objective, Marshall’s legislative proposal may also serve as an umbrella for Virginia’s embattled governor to hide under as he attempts to withstand the continuing revelations of inappropriate and unethical political gifts he’s received from one individual in particular. More broadly, Marshall’s legislative proposal could also be aimed at protecting the Republican Party brand from further allegations of elitism and corporate kowtowing. By proposing this kind of legislation, Marshall and the Republican Party can deflect some of the criticisms that are implicit in the criticisms of Gov. McDonnell and Virginia Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli, both Republicans.

Full disclosure: I cannot hide my glee that the individual who proposed flying unmanned aerial drones through Virginia’s skies (among other incredibly bad ideas) is under the political gun for acting in a manner unbefitting his office. It appears that one of the loudest proponents of highly invasive law enforcement tactics  isn’t too quick to apply the same rule of law to himself. Oh, the irony!