Is there a silver lining to the money pouring in to Washington campaigns?

Big bucks are pouring into Washington state this year for political ads.

That led listener Rogan Carr to ask:  Does all that money at least give the economy a boost?

Nationally, the answer is no, according to Barry Bluestone, a professor of political economy at Northeastern University.

"Because that money would probably be spent on something else, giving also a boost to the economy," Bluestone said.

But Bluestone said there may be a boon locally if a lot of money flows in from out of state. 

This year in Washington, Initiative 1631 to institute a carbon fee could be that race. 

It pits the fossil fuel industry against environmental and other groups and is on track to be the most expensive initiative in state history. 

Spending on attack ads is also a big feature in the U.S. House race between Democrat Kim Schrier and Republican Dino Rossi in the 8th Congressional District.

That campaign is expected to be the most expense House race ever in Washington state.

And don't forget all the dollars flowing in to support a soda industry-backed initiative aimed at stopping any new taxes or fees on groceries (including soda).

OpenSecrets.org says that in the 2016 cycle, about $6.3 billion was spent nationally on all aspects of presidential and congressional campaigns.