Political action committees operated by some of Rhode Island’s most powerful special-interest groups spent more than $728,000 during the legislative session, according to a WPRI.com review of campaign finance reports due Wednesday.
All told, 168 of the state’s 240 active PACs reported spending between $3 and $47,000 during the first six months of 2013, mostly to cover campaign contributions to political leaders, operating expenses and massive meal and liquor tabs.