There have been numerous political contributions from 1999 to 2005 to members of the Virginia Assembly from Synagro Technologies Inc. and the waste industry in general.  Also documented are contributions from Recycling Systems Inc. to government officials from 1997-2001. The original source for these contribution charts can be found at: 

http://www.followthemoney.org
http://www.madisonmatters.com/Stories/Sludge/sludgecontrib.html
http://www.vpap.org/ 

Please note the following important trends by year/sludge legislation: (see group lists referred to below:

1) Synagro, Recycling Systems Inc., and the waste industry have a long history, documented here back to 1997, of political contributions to the Virginia Assembly. Many contributions went to Assembly members who are now serving on Agriculture Committees (#2 below), or have taken a significant role in sludge legislation like William T. Bolling, Watkins M. Abbitt, Jr., and Clarke N. Hogan. ( #4,5,6 below) All three have proposed sludge legislation that was friendly and acceptable to the industry, but not protective of citizen health. (See madisonmatters 1999-2004, followthemoney 2003 waste industry, and vpap). 

2) 1999 and 2001 Prior to the work of the 2002 Commission on Virginia’s Future Environment (CVFE), many Synagro political contributions went to future Commission members. Out of 10 members of the CVFE from the Assembly, one (Maxwell), no longer serves in the Assembly, another (Bland) never received any Synagro contributions, and a third (Orrock) only received a contribution from Waste Management Technologies. Out of the seven remaining, 3 serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee, 4 serve on the Delegate Agriculture Committee. Out of these 7, 6 received contributions from Synagro before the Commission work and passage of regulations favorable to industry, SB 1088. 6 received contributions after the work and passage of 1088. Hanger, received one Synagro contribution prior to the CFVE "work," and several other waste industry contributions. Bolling, the Chairman of CVFE received a second, 2004, contribution for his Lieutenant Governor campaign. There were 13 Synagro contributions total, with 6 of the CFVE members receiving 2 Synagro contributions each, one prior to and one after 1088. (See all charts linked below). 

3) 2002 The Commission on Virginia’s Future Environment, chaired by William T. Bolling, was "considering" the sludge issue. It was a slow year for Synagro’s political contributions. Only one contribution went to Delegate Landes. (See vpap) .

4) 2003 In January William T. Bolling proposed SB1088, a set of industry authorized regulations which were not at all protective of citizen health. The number of political contributions by Synagro to the Virginia Assembly again increased. It’s hard to miss that the highest amount (double the next highest) went to Senator William T. Bolling, Chairman of the Commission on Virginia’s Future Environment, AND the Senator who proposed SB1088. 6 (most of the rest of) additional contributions went to other members of the 2 Agriculture Committees (See vpap). 

5) 2004 The only Synagro political contribution was given to Senator William T. Bolling for his Lieutenant Governor ‘s campaign. (See vpap 2004) 

6) 2005 Delegates Watkins M. Abbitt and Clarke N. Hogan both proposed industry friendly sludge bills, not protective of citizens health. Both have been recipients of considerable waste industry largess over the past few years Abbitt $1,250 and Hogan $3,000 (See all charts linked below).

7) Industry giants can impact elections with their campaign contributions and, as a result, legislation that affects them. Consider the case of Virginia. Between 1997 and 2000, the trash industry donated nearly $400,000 to Virginia candidates. During the same period, bills that would have stunted the trash industry's growth died in the Virginia legislature, while bills to protect its markets became law. In 1999, out-of-state garbage flowing to Virginia increased by 43% as compared to the previous year.  Nov 2002 (Click here for more).

2002 Commission on Virginia’s Future Environment 
Members: Bolling, Chairman; Maxwell, Albo, 
Ware, Bland, Hanger, Jr., Whipple, Cox, 
Orrock, Sr., Schuler 

House of Delegates Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Chairman: Cox, M. Kirkland
Vice Chair: Ware, R. Lee, Jr.
Members:
Morgan, Harvey B.
Sherwood, Beverly J.
Louderback, Allen L.
Wright, Thomas C., Jr.
Orrock, Robert D., Sr.
Weatherholtz, Glenn M.
Byron, Kathy J.
Saxman, Christopher B.
Hogan, Clarke N.
Cline, Benjamin L.
Scott, Edward T.
Bryant, L. Preston, Jr.
Plum, Kenneth R.
Van Yahres, Mitchell
Amundson, Kristen J.
Shuler, James M.
Miles, Floyd H., Sr.
Stump, Jackie T.
Eisenberg, Albert C.
Shannon, Stephen C.

Senate Agriculture Conservation and Natural Resources
Chair: Hawkins, Charles R. 
Members: Chichester; Bolling; Ticer; 
Whipple; Hanger; Watkins; Reynolds; Puckett; 
Ruff; Blevins; Deeds; Cuccinelli; Obenshain; and Locke. 

For a complete list of contributions by the waste industry to Virginian Politicians in 2003 as reported by www.followthemoney.org, click here

For a list of contributions by Synagro and Recycling Systems, Inc., from 1997-2002 to Virginian Politicians as reported by www.madisonmatters.com, click here

For a complete list of contributions by Synagro from 1999-2004 to Virginian Politicians as reported by www.vpap.org, click here