Lobbyist donations flow steadily to Mass. lawmakers.

• Author: LeBlanc, Steve
• Position: News

Byline: Steve LeBlanc

BOSTON -- There are a few things Beacon Hill lawmakers can depend on: endless public hearings, late-night budget debates and a steady stream of campaign dollars from registered lobbyists hoping to catch their ear.

An Associated Press review of lobbyist donations reveals just how reliable that flow of money has been, with lobbyists having spent nearly $10 million in direct contributions to lawmakers and politicians over the past nine years.

From 2005 through 2013, the total donations from lobbyists to political figures fluctuated from a low of $943,440 in 2005 to a high of nearly $1.4 million in 2010. The state caps annual donations from lobbyists at $200 per candidate. During that same period, the average donation from a lobbyist was $149.

For lawmakers, the regular donations can translate into a predictable source of campaign income -- even in years when they aren't facing a campaign.

The money can be used for a wide range of activities under the state's liberal campaign finance laws that allow donations to be spent ''for the enhancement of the political future of the candidate.''

Not surprisingly, some of the largest chunks of lobbying donations went to the most powerful politicians in the Massachusetts Statehouse.

One of the top beneficiaries is House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who holds one of the three most powerful posts on Beacon Hill.

As speaker, DeLeo appoints the heads of legislative committees, meets regularly with state leaders and has a large say over which bills are approved by House and which aren't.

DeLeo took in about $47,775 in direct donations from hundreds of lobbyists last year, an average of about $165 per donation. DeLeo has said donations from lobbyists have no influence on how he votes or what bills he supports.

His campaign also noted that the money from lobbyists amounted to just 10 percent of the $451,577 in total donations the Winthrop Democrat received in 2013, which was not an election year for state lawmakers.

DeLeo reported spending about $597,570 last year, including on meals with lawmakers, catering, gasoline, tolls, gift expenses, office supplies, postage, consulting and other campaign activities. His single biggest expense was $300,000 in legal fees as investigators probed the state Probation Department.

Others who took in...