Since the call went out here on DK4 in March for outing and exposing the nefarious activities of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), great strides have been taken. We held a protest in Cincy on April 29, formed the Exposing ALEC DK Group and have blogged here and elsewhere getting the word out. From the articles coming out, the web discussion articles about ALEC and researchers finding ALEC branded legislation in states across the U.S. and sounding the alarm, we are having an immense impact upon ALEC. Thanks to the student members of Exposing ALEC and DK the original protest was organized and came off without a hitch! Great work guys and gals! Now they're spearheading a larger Rally and demonstration for New Orleans the week of August 3rd to keep at ALEC, their legislative and corporate members and funders who will be in attendance. What a great start and impact.
I have decided to accumulate all of my incoming research on ALEC and post it to Daily Kos and the Group on a monthly basis. I will of course continue to post diaries with info pertaining to prison industries and labor, but I want to make sure that everyone watching, researching and exposing ALEC has as much up-to-date research as possible.
With that in mind below find the research I have come up with and the most recent activities of ALEC...
On June 7th ALEC released their newest "Initiative" through a press release titled: True Economic Stimulus: Innovation, Competition & Production ALEC Launches Newest Initiative “Publicopoly” I guess they got tired of my labeling their efforts as "Corporatocracy" and coined a new term to describe their activities.
Here is a link to ALEC's "Meet our Staff" that provides names of and contact information for ALEC staffers.
The Unelected That Run The GOP Blog that came out also on June 7th about ALEC and the Conservative agenda.
Guest column: Ketron wrong on legislative successes an op ed about TN. legislators and legislation involving ALEC, also posted on June 7.
A June 5th posting: More on ALEC...American Legislative Exchange Council from the Tennessee Democratic Party, discussing the Wisconsin legislation and ALEC's involvement with Fitzgerald and Huebsch.
From the Seattle Times on June 2nd: GOP legislators tighten voting rules discussing the voter ID legislation recommended and distributed by ALEC.
From Florida on may 31st: Conservative groups score big this year in state legislatures. Discussing the similarity of legislation proposed in Florida, Texas and elsewhere written by ALEC.
From the Moderate Voice, posted by PRAIRIE WEATHER IN POLITICS, MAY 30TH, 2011: "LINKING MONEY TO VOTES...". Discussion about the Voter ID laws across the U.S. and the impact(s) - especially discusses the attacks upon students and disenfranchisement.
"Selling the Anti-Immigrant Story" from Truthout about The Federation for American Immigration Reform and how the mainstream media bends to their will - similar to the way they treat ALEC. Alec is also mentioned in regard to SB 1070. This op ed provides new links to those assisting ALEC's immigration legislation agenda.
"Speculation persists over Walker plan's origin: Some Democrats, union leaders suspect influence from outside state" discusses the involvement of ALEC, Koch brothers, Indiana Governor Daniels and Wisconsin legislator, Robin Vos' involvement in the labor battle ongoing in Wisconsin.
"ALEC Issue Alert: Taxpayers' Savings Grant Program" from the Heartland Institute issued May 31st. This "Alert" to all ALEC members - discusses ALEC's position regarding school voucher program and provides the members with the talking points to use in supporting this ALEC Model legislation.
"ALEC: One Stop Shopping For Legislation Meant To Be Shared By Each And Every State! ALEC Writes Our Laws!" from HubPages published on June 2nd. Title says it all and the article reveals some of the policies and legislation ongoing in the U.S. from ALEC. Many links within the article.
ALEC Annual Meeting hotel costs and reservation information from ALEC.
In response to Marriott's hosting of ALEC's Annual Meeting, maybe we should consider a protest date for all who oppose ALEC to show up at the nearest Marriott Hotel holding signs about their enabling an organization that ghostwrites and uses cut and paste corporate proposed legislation for all Americans to live by. Possibly we could ask for a national Boycott of all Marriott facilities in protest of their support of ALEC? Maybe if this kind of thing is done, it will become more difficult for ALEC to find hotels to accommodate their Summits and annual meetings. If the protesters in NO want to "Practice up" on their protest skills, maybe they could start picketing the NO hotel between July 3 and August 3 to warm up the city to what we're trying to accomplish - and how important exposing and stopping ALEC really is.
"ALEC's role in setting legislative agenda deserves scrutiny" ELPA Emeritus Professor Jay Stampen writes a critique on the American Legislative Exchange Council's role in setting legislative agenda. Published May 27th.
"Corporations and Legislators Making End Run Around Lobbying Laws: Part I of the Corruption in Politics Series" from Newsvine.com on ALEC and their involvement in American politics and legislation. Here is part 2; "How Politicians Are Bribed: Part II of the Corruption in Politics series" that provides us with a layman's understanding of campaign contributions, PAC's and how both manipulate elections.
"Legislators Should Reveal Their Affiliation with ALEC, American Legislative Exchange Council" by Exposing ALEC member, BFealk posted on May 30th on Blogging for Michigan.
"Rep. Vos e-mail reveals Koch Industry lobbyists authored policy-pushing Milwaukee “Initiative”, now to be implemented statewide" is an important article about the ongoing legislative problems in Wisconsin. It reveals the influence of Koch money and their lobbyists in ”Make It Your Milwaukee County Initiative” actually written by Smart Government, Inc., a group with direct lobbyist ties to Koch Industries Lobby, LLC. A MUST READ!
"ALEC: The Voice of Corporate Special Interests In State Legislatures" from the People For The American Way. This is the story that was broken on Lawrence O'Donnell's Last Word show recently. Filled with facts, links, data and information about ALEC. ANOTHER MUST READ!
"Labor and democracy: Why is ALEC attacking labor?" from International Labor Communications Association published May 24th. Gives a labor slant to the ongoing labor legislation initiatives by ALEC.
"Prison Lobbyists Help Spread Anti-Immigrant Laws to U.S. South" from IPS News published May 26th. This article exposes the down and dirty lobbying and ALEC efforts behind SB 1070 styled legislation in Georgia. Provides which lobbyists paid which politicians, the governor, etc. Informative article on immigration issue.
"ALEC's radical right wing agenda comes to Pa.." published by the Examiner in Philly, published May 25th exposes the involvement of ALEC in Voter ID fraud legislation in PA.
"Wisconsin Union Law Struck Down By County Circuit Judge" from HuffPost on Wisconsin's Union law being struck down.
"Protesters Crash Gov. Walker’s Voter ID Signing Party" on May 26th as the Governor signed the Wisconsin Voter ID Fraud bill into law. Demonstrators were chanting "Who is ALEC?" as the bill was signed.
This chart informs about many of ALEC's prominent members, their government positions and duties, DOB's and occupation.
"American Legislative Exchange Council: Putting Laws on the Books on Behalf of Corporate America" is a fact sheet about ALEC with a lot of info about them. Should read for full explanation of what ALEC is all about and why they are so dangerous.
"American Legislative Exchange Council Named Clean Air `Villain'; Industry-Backed State Lawmakers Seek to Gut Clean Air Act" from 2003 about ALEC's involvement in fighting the Clean Air Act. Quote of the month from this article:
"One reason we selected ALEC was a recent report on National Public Radio that described it simply as a "bi-partisan" group of state lawmakers. That's a little like saying the Third Reich was culturally diverse."
"The American Legislative Exchange Council: A Primer On The Premier Right-Wing Corporate Lawmaking Shop" from Political Correction.org about ALEC and gives some great info about who funds ALEC and their involvement in legislative efforts in our states.
"ALEC: Ghostwriting the Law for Corporate America" May 2010 from the American Association For Justice. An in depth look at ALEC and their ghostwriting of many of today's laws. A MUST READ!
"An all-expenses-paid trip to pick up next year's legislation". From BlogForArizona.com I found this link to a complete list of Arizona legislators belonging to ALEC. Wow 52 of 'em from that state...no wonder they are so pro-privatization, pro-incarceration and anti-labor and Immigration! My thanks to bfealk for providing the link to the article.
From ALEC press release: "ALEC and Louisiana State Legislators gather to learn about Criminal Justice reforms". As many of you know LA. is one of those states where ALEC is trying to push their prison privatization initiatives. This legislation was defeated before it got out of committee, handing Governor Jindal and ALEC a defeat! This upset was doubly embarrassing, as ALEC's National Chairman is Rep. Noble Ellington (LA). If the Chairman of ALEC is unable to sway the legislators in his own state, there is still hope in other states mirroring this privatization initiative on behalf of ALEC for Corrections Corporation of America and Geo Group - two of their main members and contributors.
Guess I'll wind up this update. Catch my next diary as I keep all in the know on ALEC's being exposed and their secretive activities...just sayin'..."