Investigate Money in State Politics
Money in state politics plays a pivotal role in shaping public policy in individual states and across the nation. We track political donations in all 50 states. Take a look.
Jump Into the Data!
See the big picture! Look at how much industries are giving in this, or any previous election year!
What's New on Follow The Money?
2007 Ballot Measures: Overview of 12 High-Profile Measures
Same-sex benefits, education vouchers, property rights, medical research... Voters in nine states considered 38 very diverse ballot measures in 2007. The Institute focused on 12 major ballot measures, in Alaska, Maine, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington, and identified the committees that raised money around them.
Alaska's Citizens Lock Out Private Prisons
Since the mid-1990s - through six legislative sessions and three gubernatorial administrations - Alaska's lawmakers have made more than a half dozen attempts to privatize prisons. These attempts have met with unfavorable public opinion. To date, the strength of public opposition has prevailed, and all private prison proposals have been defeated.
Lobbyist Link
In many states, lobbyists outnumber elected lawmakers several times over. And their clients, who represent some of the largest companies in the country, often give thousands of dollars in donations to the candidates' election campaigns. The Institute illuminates the relationship between lobbyists, their clients and elected officials with its new comprehensive list of political professionals and the money they gave to the people's representatives in 2006 and 2007.
My District: New Mapping Feature Personalizes It For You At a Glance
Can't remember your House/Assembly district number? Wondering about your neighbor who is running for the state Senate? Now you can simply type in your address and our new tool (using the Google Maps API) will identify and clarify your local and statewide races. Get started in the 'Find My District' box in the left column!
Names in the News: American International Group (Updated for 2008)
As the world’s largest insurance provider, American International Group (AIG) possesses more than $1 trillion in assets and employs more than 116,000 people worldwide. During the 2004, 2006, and 2007 election cycles, AIG used its assets to contribute nearly $4 million to state-level candidate, party and ballot measure committees.
- Names in the News: Bank of America
As Bank of America gained in stature among the nation's financial giants, it also made political contributions in a majority of the states. Since 2004 election cycle, the company has given $3.6 million to state candidates, political party committees, and ballot measure committees in 29 states.
- Names in the News: Sarah Palin
When Sen. John McCain tapped Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate, Palin became not only the first woman to run on a Republican presidential ticket, but also the first politician from Alaska to be on a presidential team. Palin raised a total of $1.3 million in campaign donations for her 2006 gubernatorial campaign, $1.2 million of which came from individual donors.
Following The Money - Summer 2008
The most recent version of Following the Money, the Institute's quarterly newsletter, is now available online. Read it here. If you want to receive it as an e-mail, sign up now!
- Same-Sex Marriage Bans Again in the Public Eye
The recent ruling by the California Supreme Court on that state's ban on same-sex marriage brings the issue to the forefront once again. To catch up on what happened to state ballot measures banning same-sex marriage in the past two election cycles, read The Money Behind the 2006 Marriage Amendments and The Money Behind the 2004 Marriage Amendments.
