PORTLAND – Spending by state legislators on mail to constituents has risen sharply over the past two sessions, prompting critics to question whether incumbents are using tax dollars to boost their chances for re-election.

Spending by House members jumped from $35,933 during the 2003-2004 legislative session to $95,378 in 2005-2006, according to records provided by the House clerk’s office to the Maine Sunday Telegram. That’s an increase of 165 percent, which far outstrips the rate of inflation and the rise in postal costs.

During the same period, according to records from the Senate secretary’s office, spending on mail by senators jumped by 59 percent, from $73,919 to $117,580.

Inflation during the period totaled about 10 percent and the first-class postage rate went up about 5 percent.

Lawmakers in both major parties say mailings help keep the public informed about what government is doing. There is no specific budget, however, for legislative postage expenditures, and legislative leaders said they have sometimes granted exceptions to a weekly mail limit or allowed mailings that were questionable under their own internal rules.

The increase in mailings has drawn criticism from those who suggest it may be intended to raise visibility and attract votes at election time.

“This is the public’s money,” said Jason Fortin, a spokesman for the Maine Heritage Policy Center, a conservative think tank based in Portland. “I would say that it should be setting off alarm bells.”

The House and Senate each sets its own rules on use of taxpayer-financed postage.

The House bans mass unsolicited mailings, with the exception of an annual district-wide newsletter. The Senate has no such ban, but limits senators to 250 pieces of mail per week. Larger mailings must be sent at the bulk postage rate.

House leaders acknowledged that some recent mailings were questionable under the House ban.

In June, Rep. Bryan Kaenrath, D-South Portland, mailed his constituents a four-page report on fishing opportunities in Cumberland County.

House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, said other state representatives have sent out similar mailings after the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife provided them with fish stocking reports. Pingree could not explain how the mailings are allowable under the House policy and said questions about such mailings are under review.

Kaenrath said that he was told that representatives are allowed to send 50 pieces of mail per day. Pingree said that there is no 50-piece daily mail limit in the House.

Legislative leaders said they hope to reduce future postal costs by making better use of e-mail to communicate with their constituents.