The money being marshaled to defeat the Taxpayer Bill of Rights seems to increase with every report that becomes available.

The two primary political action committees fighting TABOR reported more than a 3-1 advantage in fundraising over a pro-TABOR PAC since July 19.

But Citizens United to Protect Our Public Safety, Schools and Communities and Citizens Who Support Maine’s Public Schools aren’t the only groups using their wallets to oppose TABOR.

In addition to contributing $190,000 to Citizens United, the AARP has also spent almost $296,000 on television and radio ads of its own, according to a disclosure filed with the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices.

Democracy Maine, a Portland nonprofit organization, reported spending more than $46,500, mostly on advertising and political polling.

The Maine Women’s Lobby reported spending $7,846 against TABOR, with most of it going for staff time and consulting.

The Maine Center for Economic Policy reported spending $9,297 between July 19 and Oct. 26.

Maine Equal Justice Partners spent $4,671.

The League of Pissed Off Voters reported spending $12,845.

On the other side, the decidedly pro-TABOR Maine Heritage Policy Institute was not required to disclose any spending. The ethics commission ruled on Oct. 31 that no disclosure was necessary pending a further examination of reporting rules.

Big-money fight

The race in Senate District 21, which includes Litchfield, Monmouth, Hallowell, West Gardiner and Winthrop was predicted by the Sun Journal to be a real barn burner.

But the investment by outside groups has stripped those expectations.

West Gardiner Mayor Brian Rines is facing state Rep. Earle McCormick for the seat left open by the retirement of Democratic state Sen. Scott Cowger. With Democrats controlling the state Senate by only three votes, this race is particularly important.

Democrats want to hold onto it so badly that the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee reported that it has spent $32,500 on television advertisements to support Rines.

On the same day, the group also reported spending $2,500 on telephone calls in the district supporting Rines.

And the Maine Democratic Party reported spending $1,391 on a mailer in the district.

Also on Wednesday, the Maine Senate Republican Victory Fund reported spending $1,912 for advertising on District 21.

On Halloween, the Maine Democratic Party spent $6,154 for literature backing Rines. The day before, the Maine Republican Party spent $8,625.

Debate, Part II

The five candidates for governor debated live Wednesday night on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.

But after the cameras turned off and viewers switched over to “Top Chef,” the candidates continued their work.

For about 45 minutes, Gov. John Baldacci, Green independent Pat LaMarche, independent Barbara Merrill, Republican Chandler Woodcock and independent Phillip NaPier talked with students, taking questions and debating among themselves.

The MPBN debate was held at the University of Maine Orono. About 200 students sat in the front of the auditorium with the candidates and discussed policy, venturing into areas missed during the televised debate.

“The kids had great questions,” LaMarche said Thursday. “There were a lot of questions about education, and mostly college education. But there was also big curiosity about TABOR.”