The purpose of the Progressive Information Project is to more widely share resources and information created to advance progressive causes. A lot of good work is being done, but the average progressive often doesn't learn about it or know what
March 28, 2012

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The purpose of the Progressive Information Project is to more widely share resources and information created to advance progressive causes. A lot of good work is being done, but the average progressive often doesn't learn about it or know what is available. This series is designed to help alleviate that problem.

Attached is a spreadsheet that lists the amount of spending the National Rifle Association did in each of the states in the 2008 and 2010 cycles. In recent years, the NRA has spent lots of money trying to influence state legislatures to pass "Stand Your Ground," aka "Shoot First" or "Kill-at-Will" laws. Lobbyists like Marion Hammer in Florida write and try to pass these laws and once they are passed, they push for more extreme laws, like those that Hammer helped pass in Florida that prevents doctors from asking parents about guns in the home when examining the risks that children face.

The data in the spreadsheet could be correlated to the push for pro-gun laws in various states, although I haven't seen anyone who has done that work yet. The data includes:

  • Direct political contributions to non-federal candidates
  • Independent expenditures in state races
  • Electioneering communications in state races
  • State ballot initiatives

    The numbers have significant gaps because of various campaign finance laws. The NRA's 501c4 spends a huge amount of money on issue advertising, including candidate-drive ads. The entity spent $21 million on those efforts alone in 2010, although the breakdown of how it spent isn't known. The c4 also spent $16 million in 2009 and $23 million in 2008 on such activities. Independent expenditures in support of, or opposition to, congressional or presidential candidates are also not included. The NRA's Political Victory Fund spent $9.6 million in 2010 and $7.1 million in 2008 on such activities.

    Download Spreadsheet

    For more entries, go to the series index. If you have tips, e-mail me at quinnelk@gmail.com

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