State Campaign Finance Bill Requires Greater Mayoral, Legislative Disclosure of Contributions

State Sen. Diana DiZoglio (WHAV News file photograph.)

The Massachusetts State Senate last week unanimously passed a campaign finance bill championed by state Sen. Diana DiZoglio.

The bill increases transparency and accountability in the Commonwealth’s elections by requiring now-exempt mayoral and legislative candidates to file monthly campaign contribution reports. The bill had already been approved in the state House of Representatives. If also signed by Gov. Charlie Baker, the bill would require candidates to use the Office of Campaign and Political Finance’s depository reporting system. Currently, filings for those presently exempt from the depository system occur only two or three times a year.

DiZoglio said, “It’s important that voters be able to quickly access information about who is donating to candidates and where candidates are spending their money. This compromise language takes a step in the right direction by moving legislators into the depository system and requiring that we file our reports more often. “

The bill also establishes a commission to study the use of campaign funds for family-related care.

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