By Nathan Hanger

The system isn’t new. In fact, it’s older than many of its members.

Some companies have a tradition of giving gifts to members of the General Assembly. "We consider these gifts an investment in good government," said Irene Cimino, a representative of Dominion Virginia Power.

Last year, Dominion Resources and its Virginia Power subsidiary gave state lawmakers more than $10,000 in meals, tickets, gifts and trips. The company was the second-largest gift provider for the Legislature; only Philip Morris gave more in gifts to legislators.

The power supplier, one of the largest on the East Coast, picked up the tab for one of the most expensive legisative gifts last year: Thanks to Dominion Virginia Power, four senators and a House member went on a hunting trip to Gillionville, Ga. The trip for the five legislators cost $7,995.

The trip to Gillionville, known for its quail hunting, involved Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-Williamsburg; Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle, R-Virginia Beach; Sen. William C. Wampler Jr., R-Bristol; Sen. Martin E. Williams, R- Newport News; and Delegate Alan Diamondstein, D-Newport News.

"These trips allow me to get to know people," Williams said.

During the legislative session, lawmakers cannot accept campaign contributions – but they can accept gifts. Government watchdog groups believe lobbyists use gifts to try to influence legislators.

Norment received $7,682 in gifts last year, including the quail-hunting trip. During the General Assembly’s 1999 session, he sponsored and voted to approve legislation deregulating the electricity industry.

Dominion Virginia Power says it uses gifts to create good relations with legislators while representing the public.

"Dominion Power lobbyists represent and serve 2.1 million customers. Since we have such a large presence throughout Virginia, we try to develop relationships with legislators," Cimino said.

In turn, members of the General Assembly see the gift-giving process as a way of building good will and relationships.

"These are nice people, and it is important for me to have a good relationship with them," Williams said. "Every constituent I have is a customer of Dominion. So if they have a problem, I can go straight to the top and get that problem solved."