Online database lets public track political dollars.
Byline: David Steves The Register-Guard You don't have to be Woodward or Bernstein to heed Deep Throat's advice and follow the money. You don't have to be a journalist at all, or a political insider. ORESTAR, Oregon's online, searchable database of who's giving,...

Cashing in contributions.
I thought that the customer was always right. Maybe the motto doesn't apply if a customer's desire to remain healthy is outweighed by a company's desire to stay wealthy. For years, customers of the energy produced at Chicago's two coal-burning power plants have lobbied and demonstrated for...

The money chase.
Running a presidential campaign takes an enormous amount of money. Candidates have to pay for advertising, technology, consultants, travel, the list goes on. This year's candidates spent a combined $800 million before the start of summer. To raise all that money, they need to attract donors, and that's where...

Big tobacco takes aim.
Byline: David Steves The Register-Guard SALEM - The tobacco industry isn't just setting a record for spending on a ballot measure campaign. It's shattering the old one. A pair of industry-financed political action committees have combined to raise $9.2million - more than 99.9 percent of...

The election law primer for corporations, 5th ed.
9781590317426 The election law primer for corporations, 5th ed. Baran, Jan Witold. American Bar Association 2008 431 pages $69.95 Paperback KF4886 Although lobbying and political activities have expanded substantially in the...

Naughton bests rival at fundraising; Out-of-state donors aid Kerrigan.
Byline: Karen Nugent State Rep. Harold P. Naughton Jr. greatly exceeded Democratic rival Stephen J. Kerrigan in fundraising this year. But Mr. Kerrigan, who is challenging Mr. Naughton for his seat representing the 12th Worcester District in the primary election Tuesday, got $500 donations from several out-of-state...

Unions, timber industry split on secretary of state.
Byline: Susan Palmer The Register-Guard Labor unions like Democrat Kate Brown for secretary of state. The timber industry prefers Republican Rick Dancer. With less than two weeks remaining before the election, Brown, a lawyer and veteran politician who has served in the Legislature for 16...

Behind Oregon's ballot measure battles: big names, big money.
Byline: David Steves The Register-Guard If you've picked up the mail, turned on the car radio or watched the TV news, then you've probably gotten advice on how to vote on one or more of Oregon's state ballot measures. And a certain question has probably crossed your...

PACs take their chances in Green-Handy contest.
Byline: Matt Cooper The Register-Guard In their campaigns for the north Eugene Lane County commissioner seat, incumbent Bobby Green and challenger Rob Handy didn't exactly pull any punches. Yet some of the bitter contest's more unusual - even disputed - messages came not from the...

Murray leads in fundraising; Speculation fueled that he'll run for gov. at some point.
Byline: Steve LeBlanc BOSTON - Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray has been on a fundraising juggernaut this year, raking in donations at a faster clip than any other statewide Beacon Hill officeholder, including Gov. Deval L. Patrick. Through the end of July, Murray had pulled...