Spending By Mass. PACs Soaring On Beacon Hill

Spending by political action committees is soaring on Beacon Hill.

A new report by the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance found that Massachusetts PACs set new spending and contribution records during the 2009-2010 elections as they tried to influence legislation on Beacon Hill.

During that election cycle, Massachusetts PACs reported $6.8 million in overall expenditures. That's an increase of more than 18 percent over the prior record of $5.8 million set during the 2007-2008 cycle.

PACS also stepped up their direct contributions to lawmakers and candidates.

PACs sent $2.74 million to state and county candidates during the 2009-2010 elections a more than 2 percent increase over the previous contribution record of $2.68 million during the 2007-08 elections.

Democratic candidates received 89 percent of the total donated by PACs.