RENT-SEEKING AND PESTICIDE LEGISLATION

This paper provides a test of the Appelbaum and Katz (1987) rent-seeki ng model, in which rents are endogenous. The Appelbaum-Katz model is t heoretically modified to correspond to our empirical application, in w hich rent-seeking and rent-avoiding coalitions are attempting to influ ence legislators' votes on pesticide regulations. Probit estimations a re used to analyze the legislators' votes on two bills to amend pestic ide legislation (a proxy for rent). Empirical results generally suppor t the rent-seeking determinants identified in the model. Tobit estimat ion is used to investigate campaign contributions by the coalitions to the legislators. These contributions are a proxy for rent-seeking act ivities. Again, the model is supported.