This week’s report is on the latest fundraising and expenditure numbers for the state’s 160 representatives’ campaign committees from the latest filing period of April 1, 2023, to April 30, 2023. It also includes how much money each representative has on hand as of April 30, 2023. The numbers are from the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

To get more information and details on any representative’s fundraising and expenditures, go to ocpf.us. Click on “Filer listing” under “Browse candidates” and then type the name of your representative in the box that says “Filter by name” in the upper left-hand corner of the page.

Most amount of cash on hand

The representative with the most cash on hand is House Ways and Means Chair Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, D-Boston, who currently has close to $1 million ($980,358.10) in his campaign account.

Rounding out the top 10 representatives with the most cash on hand are House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-Quincy, $498,253.62; Reps. Tackey Chan, D-Quincy, $388,310,44; House Minority Leader Brad Jones, R-North Reading, $252,206.22; Tram Nguyen, D-Andover, $233,438,43; Angelo Puppolo, D-Springfield, $219,071.90; Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, $196,404.88; Mike Moran, D-Brighton, $194,346.38; Tony Cabral, D-New Bedford, $174,282.71; and Bud Williams, D-Springfield, $156,097.98.

Least amount of cash on hand

The representative with the least cash on hand is Rep. Aaron Saunders, D-Belchertown, whose campaign account currently has a balance of $124.01.

Rounding out the bottom 10 representative with the least cash on hand are Reps. Christopher Flanagan, D-Dennis, $158.97; Samantha Montano, D-Boston, $171.47; David Vieira, R-Falmouth, $274.72; David Robertson, D-Tewksbury, $476.58; Manny Cruz, D-Salem, $487.41; Michelle DuBois, D-Brockton, $689.83; Adrianne Ramos, D-North Andover, $731.73; Paul Frost, R-Auburn, $835.21; and Peter Durant, R-Spencer, $828.38.

Raised the most money

The representative who raised the most money is Rep. Richard Haggerty, D-Woburn, who raised $29,308.33.

Rounding out the top five representatives who raised the most money are Reps. Brad Jones, R-North Reading, $24,178.93; Carole Fiola, D-Fall River, $21,578.23; Daniel Cahill, D-Lynn, $20,560.91; and Jeff Roy, D-Franklin, $19,119.12.

Raised the least money

There are 51 representatives who raised $0 each.

Spent the most money

The representative who spent the most money is Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, D-Boston, who spent $40,449.99.

Rounding out the top five representatives who spent the most money are House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-Quincy, $11,693.98; Mike Moran, D-Brighton, $11,386.95; Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester, $10,203.94; and Kevin Honan, D-Boston, $9,280.04.

Spent the least money

Ten representatives spent $0: Reps. Brian Murray, D-Milford; Vanna Howard, D-Lowell; Colleen Garry, D-Dracut; Carol Doherty, D-Taunton; Tom Walsh, D-Peabody; Susan Gifford, R-Wareham; Fred Barrows, R-Mansfield; Peter Durant, R-Spencer; Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica; and Alyson Sullivan, R-Abington.

Total cash on hand as of April 30, 2023

Here is the total amount of cash your local representatives have on hand.

Rep. Natalie Blais — $34,420.67

Rep. Aaron Saunders — $124.01

Rep. Susannah Whipps — $10,032.58

Total money raised in April 2023

Here is the total amount of money your local representatives raised in April 2023.

Rep. Natalie Blais — $1,397.86

Rep. Aaron Saunders — $500.00

Rep. Susannah Whipps — $500.00

Total money spent in April 2023

Here is the total amount of money your local representatives spent in April 2023.

Rep. Natalie Blais — $527.95

Rep. Aaron Saunders — $1,898.94

Rep. Susannah Whipps — $600.00

Also up on Beacon Hill

The following bills were the subject of public hearings this week:

Airplanes and laser pointers (H 1287)

Would impose a $5,000 fine and/or five-year prison sentence on anyone who directs a laser pointer at an aircraft or operates an unmanned aerial vehicle within the flight path of an aircraft.

“Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is called lasing and can cause temporary blindness and confusion to pilots as they attempt to descend toward a landing strip,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers, D-Quincy. “Statistics show that lasing is on the rise, with over 9,500 cases reported in 2022. With over 375,000 flights out of Logan Airport each year, carrying over 35 million passengers, lasing poses a serious public safety risk to pilots, passengers and the community below. With the passage of this bill, we can set a strong precedent that this dubious behavior will not be tolerated and will carry serious consequences.”

Eliminate the $456 minimum excise tax for corporations (H 2842)

Would eliminate the $456 minimum excise tax for business corporations.

“The corporate minimum excise tax holds small, newly created corporations to the same tax standards as large, multi-national corporations, regardless of whether they actually turn a profit,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones, R-North Reading. “Eliminating the minimum excise tax would provide assistance to many small businesses and encourage business formation in the commonwealth, which would have a positive impact on the state’s economy.”

Medication for mental illness

Would prohibit health plans from requiring prior authorization or step therapy for drugs prescribed to treat a serious mental illness. Step therapy requires the patient to try less expensive options before “stepping up” to drugs that may work better but cost more.

Sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, said this legislation will reduce restrictions for patients with serious mental illness and avoid costs in hospital visits and incarceration. He noted that untreated or poorly treated serious mental illnesses can lead to increased risks of homelessness and interaction with the judicial, legal and police systems.

Burial for veterans (H 3517)

Would increase state reimbursement to families of veterans to cover the costs of burying the veterans.

“This current threshold has not been changed or updated for years,” said sponsor Rep. Mike Kushmerek, D-Fitchburg. “The commonwealth of Massachusetts cares immensely about the treatment of veterans, as we are incredibly grateful for their service and sacrifices. For families with limited finances, this legislation would ensure that veterans are buried with the dignity and respect that they so deserve.”

Raise allowance for nursing home resident (H 626)

Would raise the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) for nursing home residents from the current $72.80 monthly to $100 monthly. It also would give the residents an annual cost-of-living increase. The PNA pays for expenses not covered by Medicaid for nursing home residents.

Supporters say that the money, half of which is reimbursed with federal dollars, helps residents pay for clothing, shoes, phone calls, medicine, transportation, haircuts and other personal needs that help them maintain their dignity and well-being. They noted the $72.80 monthly allowance has not been raised in 20 years.

“Increasing the allowance to $100 would modernize the policy and allow residents of long-term care facilities increased independence with this simple solution,” said sponsor Rep. Sean Garballey, D-Arlington.

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