The Mass. Money and Politics Project

Abstract
No Contest, No Accountability casts the record low electoral competition before a backdrop of the Legislature's refusal to implement the Clean Elections Law. The report also addresses factors that discourage competition such as the rising costs of campaigns and incumbents who accumulate large war chests during off-election years.

Abstract
On the Eve of Reform is a final look at the state of fundraising by incumbent Massachusetts state legislators under the old, exclusively private campaign finance system. The report profiles all political donors giving $100 or more to legislative incumbents.

Overall, it finds a pool of political donors that is smaller, gives more money, represents narrower interests more closely tied to state lawmaking and appears less interested in giving for elections - and more in giving for access and goodwill - than ever before. The report then uses its chief findings to provide benchmarks by which to measure the success of the new reform law taking effect next year for the 2002 election.

Abstract
Barriers to Entry looks at campaign spending in the 2000 Massachusetts legislative elections. It documents the continued upward spiral of spending -- raising the bar higher for new candidates without ready access to campaign donors. It notes the fundraising and spending advantage of incumbents in terms of election year spending, war chests and off-year spending.

The report asks what role money plays in why so many incumbents face no opponent in primary and general elections. As previously reported, last year Massachusetts ranked 2nd to last among states for its percentage of contested legislative races. Only three out of ten legislative seats had a race in November and only one of ten potential major party primaries had contests. Of these relatively few contested races, only half were competitive.

Abtract
Cashing In examines the campaign fundraising and spending of 10 Massachuusetts State House leaders who during 1997-2000 were the largest recipients of lobbyist and PAC monies and who held powerful legislative posts as a member of leadership or committee chair.

The four-year study reveals a pattern of legislative leaders cashing in on their positions of influence to take money from interested donors with a close stake in lawmaking. The money fills campaign accounts where money is spent - not on traditional campaign expenses - but on gifts, meals, travel and other expenses more typical of a personal expense account.

Abstract
Legislative Fundraising Up Again in 2001 is a look at the record-setting off-year fundraising done by members of the state legislature last year. According to reports filed in late January, 2002 at the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, incumbent state legislators collected $7.7 million dollars from lobbyists, PACs and other donors in the 2001 off-election year. Legislative fundraising during the non-election year went up 146% from the $3.1 million raised in 1995 just six years ago. During the same period, the number of contested legislative elections was cut in half. The amount exceeds the previous record set in 1999 of $5.8 million funds collected.

This analysis of legislative campaign finance reports prepared by the Massachusetts Money and Politics Projects also reports on the campaign war chests stockpiled in large part by legislative leaders. War chests are the amount of money legislators have on-hand in their campaign account to start the election year. State senators had an average of $75,257 in their war chests. State representatives had, on average, campaign war chests of $27,289.

Title
Campaign Check-Off on Tax Returns Background Summary Sheet

Release Date April, 2001

Abstract
Campaign Check-Off looks at the feasibility of a "check-off" on income tax forms as a source for public campaign funds.  An analysis of all states and cities with public financing for candidates shows that the use of the tax check-off is limited at best, and does not generate enough revenue to be considered a primary source for public campaign funds.