Campaign finance agencies in Massachusetts
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In Massachusetts, there are two primary agencies involved in campaign finance regulation: the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance and the Massachusetts Attorney General. The former administers the state's campaign finance law. The latter prosecutes civil violations and refers alleged criminal violations to district attorneys for prosecution.[1][2]
Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance
Authority
The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance is authorized to administer the state's campaign finance law. This includes receiving and processing required campaign finance reports. The office may also assess civil fines against individuals or groups who fail to file timely reports.[1][2]
Organization
Created in 1973, the Office of Campaign and Political Finance is led by a director. The director is appointed by a commission that comprises the following members:[2]
- Secretary of the commonwealth
- Chair of the state Democratic Party
- Chair of the state Republican Party
- A law school dean appointed by the governor
The director serves a six-year term. The director is not subject to term limits. As of August 2015, the director of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance was Michael J. Sullivan.[2]
Agency budget, 2010-2014
In fiscal year 2014, total expenditures for the Office of Campaign and Political Finance equaled approximately $1.4 million. See the table below for further details.[3][4][5][6][7]
| Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance—agency spending in fiscal years 2010 through 2014 | |
|---|---|
| Fiscal year | Total expenditures |
| 2014 | $1,370,000 |
| 2013 | $1,239,000 |
| 2012 | $1,196,000 |
| 2011 | $2,560,000 |
| 2010 | $1,175,000 |
| Source: Massachusetts Comptroller of the Commonwealth, "Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFR)," accessed August 10, 2015 | |
Massachusetts Attorney General
- See also: Massachusetts Attorney General
Authority
Massachusetts' campaign finance law authorizes the attorney general is authorized to prosecute alleged civil violations of the law on behalf of the state. The attorney general may also refer alleged criminal violations to a district attorney for prosecution.[1]
Organization
The attorney general serves as Massachusetts' chief law enforcement officer. The office of the attorney general comprises six bureaus: Executive, Criminal, Energy and Environment, Government, Health Care and Fair Competition, and Public Protection and Advocacy.[8]
Agency budget
In fiscal year 2014, expenditures for the office of the attorney general totaled approximately $87.6 million. See the table below for further details.[3][4][5][6][7]
| Massachusetts Attorney General—agency spending in fiscal years 2010 through 2014 | |
|---|---|
| Fiscal year | Total expenditures |
| 2014 | $87,639,000 |
| 2013 | $75,654,000 |
| 2012 | $54,663,000 |
| 2011 | $33,837,000 |
| 2010 | $52,109,000 |
| Source: Massachusetts Comptroller of the Commonwealth, "Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFR)," accessed August 10, 2015 | |
Contact information
Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance
- One Ashburton Place, Room 411
- Boston, Massachusetts 02108
- Telephone: (617) 979-8300
- Fax: (617) 727-6549
- Email: [email protected]
Massachusetts Attorney General
- One Ashburton Place
- Boston, Massachusetts 02108-1518
- Telephone: (617) 727-2200
- Email: [email protected]
Recent news
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See also
- Campaign finance requirements in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Secretary of State
- Massachusetts Attorney General
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Massachusetts General Law, "Chapter 55, Section 3," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, "About Us," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Massachusetts Comptroller, "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2014," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Massachusetts Comptroller, "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Massachusetts Comptroller, "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2012," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Massachusetts Comptroller, "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Massachusetts Comptroller, "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2010," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ Massachusetts Attorney General, "Bureaus," accessed August 10, 2015
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