The Virginian-Pilot Monday reports on HB664, a bill introduced by Peninsula Del. Tom Gear (R-91st), which seeks to prohibit members of the General Assembly – or their law partners – from serving as Commissioner of Accounts. The bill is aimed squarely at the only member of the legislature who currently serves: Senator Tommy Norment (R-3rd), a fellow legislator from the Peninsula.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, Commissioners of Accounts are appointed by the Circuit Court of the jurisdiction. And, of course, those Circuit Court judges – like all Virginia judges – are appointed by the legislature. These COA positions are known as a license to print money. The article reports that Norment, in his first year in such a position, earned $120,636. This is in addition to his $160,000 salary from William & Mary and his compensation as Senator. Plus whatever he earns from his law firm, Kaufman & Canoles.
While none of the money paid to the commissioners comes from state funds, there is no doubt that the appointments are highly prized and typically go to the well-connected. The number of positions varies from locality to locality: Norfolk has two such positions, while Virginia Beach has four. There are no real requirements in terms of specific knowledge for the job and once appointed, commissioners serve until they choose to retire.
Norment, first elected to the Senate in 1992, looks like he’s preparing for his retirement from the legislature. If this bill passes – and it should – I’m betting he won’t wait until 2011 to announce it.
Disclosure: I sat on the last two interview panels for Norfolk’s Commissioners of Accounts. In addition, a portion of my professional practice is in the area of estates and trusts, which require me to work with Commissioners of Accounts.
Vivian,
Sure. The bill actually goes beyond law partners, no member, partmer, associate, whatever, of a law firm that employs a member of the General Assembly would be eligible to serve as commissioner. Kaufman & Canoles employs a couple of other commissioners, as I recall.
Talked to Gear earlier today. He, of course, said the bill isn’t aimed at Norment
Posted by Steve Vaughan | Monday, January 25, 2010, 2:40 pmUm, OK
Yes, there are at least 3 K&C employees: Edward Stolle (brother of Ken & Chris) of Virginia Beach, Lawrence Cumming of Hampton and Philip Hatchett of Newport News.
Posted by vjp | Monday, January 25, 2010, 3:08 pmBet you the Democrats in the Senate will kill this bill to protect Norment. Saslaw has already been quoted in the Pilot as saying he didn’t see anything wrong with Norment’s situation. Remember Norment is the only Republican in the Senate holding a committee chair, you don’t get that unless they like you!
Posted by silver donkey | Monday, January 25, 2010, 5:50 pmMaybe. According to this, it has passed a House subcommittee.
Posted by vjp | Monday, January 25, 2010, 6:18 pmNope. Check the list of Senate committee chairs on the General Assembly website. Norment doesn’t chair a committee. That’s not to say you aren’t right that Democrats will kill the bill. Saslaw doesnt like to get involved with ethics issues for partisan purposes. When Frank Wagner was under investigation for the operation of his business, Saslaw specificially forbid Dem operatives from doing anything on the issue saying “It doesn’t have anything to do with the Senate.”
Posted by Steve Vaughan | Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 10:24 amThis is personal retribution. Anyone who is paying attention knows that Gear and Norment dont like each other, and that Gear is vindictive
Posted by SE VA MWC Alum | Thursday, January 28, 2010, 10:14 am