| AO-89-32 |
"Questions submitted to the voters" must appear on a ballot for c. 55 to apply. Issues that are debated in an open forum, such as a town meeting, are not questions "on the ballot" even if resolved by secret vote. [But see IB-91-01] |
| AO-89-31 |
The political committee of the chief or the Bureau of Local Assessment of the Division of Local Services may not solicit or receive contributions from employees whom she supervises, any municipal official supervised by the Bureau, or any municipal official coordinating a project for which she has responsibility. |
| AO-89-30 |
A political committee may not commingle funds with funds in the account of another political committee. |
| AO-89-29 |
Political committee may make charitable contribution if regulations complied with, and if expenditures are incidental and support primary purpose for which the committee was organized. [Overruled, in part, by AO-97-18] |
| AO-89-28 |
Use of city council chamber in political advertisement is prohibited unless equal access exists. |
| AO-89-27 |
A party affiliated organization financing activities related to the state/congressional redistricting process in Mass. is not a political committee, but the organization may not accept corporate contributions. [See also AO-91-12] |
| AO-89-26 |
c.55 does not prohibit lobbying by public employees. Therefore, lobbying expenditures are not considered political expenditures. [Overruled, in part, by AO-93-25] |
| AO-89-25 |
An organization may fundraise on behalf of political committee if detailed donor information is reported. |
| AO-89-24 |
A public employee, on employee's own time and at employee's residence, may prepare database for candidates for use in tracking voting trends and analyzing polling statistics. |
| AO-89-23 |
A public employee may not publish a handbook providing campaigns with information to aid in soliciting contributions. |
| AO-89-22 |
A constitutional candidate's committee may pay travel expenses of candidate and committee's agent if travel undertaken to research issues relating to campaign; however, international travel is not routinely viewed as reasonable expense for statewide candidates. |
| AO-89-21 |
An association receiving largely governmental monies cannot use funds to promote a ballot question. |
| AO-89-20 |
Political committee may lease car if used at least 50% of time for political travel. [But see M-97-02 and M-97-03] |
| AO-89-19 |
A political committee may award a scholarship, if regulations are complied with. [Overruled in part by AO-05-10] |
| AO-89-18 |
Any purchase/lease of equipment/services by a committee from a business in which the candidate has an interest is deemed a personal use, unless (1) the revenue obtained by the business is incidental (less than 1%) to the business's gross revenues, and (2) the equipment or services were not obtained by the business for use by the committee. |
| AO-89-17 |
A mailing list is a contribution when received by a candidate or political committee. |
| AO-89-16 |
A non-profit corporation expending funds must report expenditures, and if soliciting funds, must organize as political committee. |
| AO-89-15 |
The prohibition of political fundraising by city employees in Plan E cities parallels c. 55. Therefore, part-time public employee in Plan E city is prohibited from fundraising for a political purpose. |
| AO-89-14 |
Transfer from Mass. to a non-Mass. Political Committee is contribution. [But see IB-82-01] |
| AO-89-13 |
Political committee may award scholarship, if regulations are complied with. [Overruled in part by AO-05-10] |
| AO-89-12 |
Group supporting only candidates for town meeting representative is not a PAC under c. 55. |
| AO-89-11 |
A public employee who is also a campaign manager may not undertake fundraising activities. |
| AO-89-10 |
A person receiving "de minimus" salary is not employed for compensation and is not subject to solicitation restrictions. [Overruled by AO-90-05] |
| AO-89-09 |
Public employee may establish campaign finance committee to solicit/receive contributions for his candidacy. |
| AO-89-08 |
Public employee may establish campaign finance committee to solicit/receive contributions for his candidacy. |
| AO-89-07 |
Space rented by a political committee from the Mass. Convention Center Authority is not "occupied for state, county or municipal purposes." Such rented space is not subject to s. 14. |
| AO-89-06 |
Candidate's committee may make expenditures to equip/refurbish district office provided it is used for political purposes. [But see M.G.L. c. 55, s. 6, which now allows expenditures to open or maintain district office] |
| AO-89-05 |
Town finance committee may disseminate materials influencing outcome of town meeting, but individual members of finance committee may promote/oppose issues submitted to voters. |
| AO-89-04 |
A public employee is not required to relinquish employment in order to seek public office. |
| AO-89-02 |
Town finance committee raising monies for political purposes is subject to c.55 and the treasurer of the committee or the town treasurer must disclose such expenditures with the town clerk in accordance with M.G.L. c. 55, s. 22A. |
| AO-89-01 |
A candidate's committee may share/sublet office space from another organization if fair market value is paid. |
