Correct! Both the FEC and OpenSecrets provide great detail about the flow of money in and out of campaigns.

Correct! The Electronic Municipal Market Access website, EMMA, is a completely free resource launched by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) in 2008.

Correct! Municipal bonds fund projects such as building schools, and roadways.

Correct! This is a marketing tactic used in an attempt to discredit opposing candidates and consequently “push” voters' support in a certain direction.

Correct! There are some exemptions and exclusions that may apply to certain requests, but anyone can make a request.

Correct! Big businesses try to game the system by obtaining government subsidies, capturing regulators, and influencing legislation in order to increase their own profits. Even more, they fund candidates and ballot initiatives – and even craft bills to be introduced in state legislatures.

Correct! Campaigns spend a lot of money each election cycle on campaign literature, even in the digital age. This includes mailers, brochures, lawn signs, and various printed materials endorsing a candidate or issue to vote for in an election.

Correct! All of these are great starting points to look for candidates’ spending in the current election cycle.

Correct! Donors have a right to know if their contributions are not going toward helping a candidate win an election. You can help keep an eye on this as a reporter.

Correct!