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! <h2 style="margin:0; background:#2966B8; font-size:172%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #2966B8; text-align:left; color:#FFF; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Through ALEC, Global Corporations Are Scheming to Rewrite YOUR Rights to Boost THEIR Revenue$</h2>
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| style="color:#000000; font-size:120%; padding:0.75em;" |'''Through the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council, global corporations and state politicians vote behind closed  doors to try to rewrite state laws that govern your rights.'''  These so-called "model bills" reach into almost every area of American life  and often directly benefit huge corporations.
[[Image:Business_money.jpg|right|130px]]<font size="3">'''Through the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council, global corporations and state politicians VOTE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS to change laws in YOUR state that govern YOUR Rights.'''  These so-called "model bills" are drafted at ALEC conventions with input from, and approval by, Big Business, then introduced in state legislatures to erode the rights of working Americans in almost every area of law. These bills thwart reasonable regulation of corporate activities that affect our health, our economy, our environment, our democracy, and our liberty. ''' Politicians are elected to represent the people, not corporations; through ALEC, corporations have both a VOICE and a VOTE on bills introduced in YOUR state.  ''Do you?'' '''</font>
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! <h2 style="margin:0; background:#CC0000; font-size:160%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #435c7a; text-align:left; color:#FFF; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">SEE ALL of the "Model Bills" HERE</h2>
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[[Image:Point.png|left|70px]][[media:7G0-9.zip|<big><span style="color:#000;text docoration:none:">'''Click here for ''part one'' of the bills exposed.'''</span>]]
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[[Image:Point.png|left|70px]][[media:7G0-9.zip|<span style="color:#000;text docoration:none:">'''Click here for ''part two'' of the bills exposed.'''</span>]]
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[[Image:Point.png|left|70px]][[media:7G0-9.zip|<span style="color:#000;text docoration:none:">'''Click here for ''part three'' of the bills exposed.'''</span>]]
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[[Image:Point.png|left|70px]][[media:7G0-9.zip|<span style="color:#000;text docoration:none:">'''Click here for ''part four'' of the bills exposed.'''</span>]]
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[[Image:Point.png|left|70px]][[media:7G0-9.zip|<span style="color:#000;text docoration:none:">'''Click here for ''part five'' of the bills exposed.'''</span>]]
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[[Image:Point.png|left|70px]][[media:7G0-9.zip|<span style="color:#000;text docoration:none:">'''Click here for ''part six'' of the bills exposed.'''</span>]]
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[[Image:Point.png|left|70px]][[media:7G0-9.zip|<span style="color:#000;text docoration:none:">'''Click here for ''part seven'' of the bills exposed.'''</span>]]
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[[Image:Point.png|left|70px]][[media:7G0-9.zip|<span style="color:#000;text docoration:none:">'''Click here for ''part eight'' of the bills exposed.'''</span></big>]]
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<big>'''To read the list of individual bills ''before'' opening them, you can do so by navigating to the specific subject areas on the left.'''</big>


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'''In ALEC's own words,  corporations have "a [[Decoding_ALEC_PR|VOICE and a VOTE]]" on specific changes to the law  that are then proposed in your state. ''DO YOU?'' ''' Numerous resources to help us expose ALEC are provided below. We have also created links to detailed discussions of key issues, which are available on the left.
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{{ALEC News}}
! <h2 style="margin:0; background:#000; font-size:160%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #435c7a; text-align:left; color:#FFF; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">How YOU Can Expose ALEC & Share What You Learn</h2>
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<big>'''SPREAD THE WORD.''' </big> Share this information through FACEBOOK, EMAIL, AND TWITTER. Concerned groups and people in every state need this to investigate how ALEC corporations are rewriting laws for their own advantage.
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{{Who is ALEC?}}
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[[Image:Two.png|left|60px]] <big>'''EXPOSE ALEC LEGISLATORS.'''</big> Demand the truth about which politicians in your state are in ALEC. Uncover whether YOUR tax dollars are paying ALEC "dues." Expose politicians who accept “scholarships” from ALEC's corporate-funded coffers for fancy trips.
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[[Image:Three.png|left|60px]]<big>'''EXPOSE ALEC'S ROLE IN YOUR STATE HOUSE.'''</big>  Read these corporate-backed "model bills" NOW and cross-check them with bills in your state legislature. Ask your local media to report on what you have found and write your local newspaper.
<br>
[[Image:Four.png|left|60px]]<big>'''SHARE YOUR DISCOVERIES.'''</big> Tell us what about what you uncovered! Tweet what you learn with the hashtag '''#ALECExposed''' or join the "[[Alec_Exposed:Community_portal|Community Discussion]]" or email a confidential tip via tipline AT ALECexposed.org. 
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<big>'''Act today to help your family, friends, and fellow Americans better understand how global corporations are trying to rewrite your rights.'''</big>
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  ! style="margin:0; background:#000; font-size:160%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #435c7a; text-align:left; color:#FFF; padding:0.2em 0.4em;"|Join the Conversation!
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  ! style="margin:0; background:#000; font-size:160%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #435c7a; text-align:left; color:#FFF; padding:0.2em 0.4em;"|Who Is Behind ALEC?
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  ! style="margin:0; background:#000; font-size:160%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #435c7a; text-align:left; color:#FFF; padding:0.2em 0.4em;"|Get the Goods on ALEC's Agenda
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<big>
'''[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=ALEC_Boards <span style="color:#CC0000;text docoration:none:">Corporations & politicians on ALEC's boards</span>]'''


'''[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=ALEC_Task_Forces <span style="color:#CC0000;text docoration:none:">Who heads each ALEC "Task Force"</span>]''' 
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'''[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=ALEC_Staff <span style="color:#CC0000;text docoration:none:">Staff & "experts"</span>]'''</big>  
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<big>'''ALEC funding and spending''' [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=American_Legislative_Exchange_Council (here)]
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'''ALEC connections to David and Charles Koch, the oil billionaires''' [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=ALEC_and_Koch (here)]


'''Proposals to change the rules for workers, including unions''' [[Worker_Rights|(here)]]
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'''Industry-specific agendas, like oil companies [[Big Oil|(here)]] and the health insurance industry''' [[Human Health|(here)]]'''</big>
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! <h2 style="margin:0; background:#2966B8; font-size:160%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #2966B8; text-align:left; color:#FFF; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Learn MORE about the "Model Bills" ALEC Corporations Are Backing to Rewrite YOUR Rights</h2>
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<big>'''The Center for Media and Democracy has annotated the "model legislation" politicians and corporations voted on, and we will be adding our analysis below and to other publications, such as our sister sites, [http://www.PRWatch.org PRWatch] and [http://www.SourceWatch.org SourceWatch].''' </big>   
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! <h2 style="margin:0; background:#000; font-size:160%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #000; text-align:left; color:#FFF; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Ways Corporations Tried to Rewrite the Law</h2>
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<big>'''The bills corporations and their politician allies VOTED on behind closed doors through ALEC try to change American's rights by:</big><br>
(PLACEHOLDER)'''Making it easier for corporations''' to get a judge to dismiss an injured American's case before it gets to a jury;<br>
'''Making it harder for injured people''' to use "class action" procedures which strengthen their negotiating power;<br>
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<big>'''Here are links to reports by reporters and advocates that have been challenging the ALEC corporate agenda:'''</big> <small>''(CMD is not affiliated with these organizations.  If you would like to be listed as a resource, contact us.)''</small>
<br>
*[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=American_Legislative_Exchange_Council The American Legislative Exchange Council], on '''the Center for Media and Democracy's SourceWatch.org''' (wiki) and [http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/03/10146/cmd-special-report-who-league-american-voters-first-series-squawkers-walker A CMD Special Report: Who Is the League of American Voters?], by '''the Center for Media and Democracy's PRWatch.org''' (March 2011) (PLACEHOLDER)
*[http://www.justice.org/cps/rde/xbcr/justice/ALEC_Report.pdf Ghostwriting the Law for Corporate America], by '''the American Association for Justice''' (May 2010)
*[http://www.alecwatch.org/report.html Corporate America's Trojan Horse in the States: The Untold Story Behind the American Legislative Exchange Council], by '''the Defenders of Wildlife and the Natural Resources Defense Council''' (March 2002) 
*[http://www.pfaw.org/rww-in-focus/alec-the-voice-of-corporate-special-interests-state-legislatures ALEC: The Voice of Corporate Special Interests In State Legislatures], by '''People for the American Way''' (May 2011)
*[http://www.thenation.com/blog/159521/wisconsins-cronon-affair-power-simple-fact Wisconsin's Cronon Affair: The Power of a Simple Fact], by '''The Nation''' (March 2011)
*[http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=1499059#Groups Wolves in Sheep's Clothing], by '''Common Cause''' (August 2006)
*[http://campusprogress.org/articles/conservative_corporate_advocacy_group_alec_behind_voter_disenfranchise/ Conservative Corporate Advocacy Group ALEC Behind Voter Disenfranchisement Efforts]' by '''the Center for American Progress and Campus Progress''' (March 2011)
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<h3>Some of this Corporate Agenda Has Already Become Law</h3>
[[Image:Wisconsin.png|left|90px]]'''Controversial Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, an alum of ALEC, proposed changes to the law from the ALEC corporate wish list on tort reform as one of his first acts as governor in January 2011.''' 
PLACEHOLDER
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<h3>Limiting Damages for the Loss of Your Child, Spouse, or Parent</h3>
[[Image:Family.png|left|90px]]One of the corporate-politician proposals of ALEC would limit the ability of a family to recover for emotional damages due to the death or injury of a loved one.  (LINK) 
PLACEHOLDER
 
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<h3>Barring Corporate Liability for Killing Your Dog or Cat</h3>
[[Image:Pet.png|left|90px]]In addition to limiting the rights of people injured by corporations, under the guise of limiting "frivolous" litigation in 2006, one of the proposals would make it harder for you to obtain any compensation from a company whose negligence killed your family pet.(LINK)  PLACEHOLDER
 
 
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<big>ALEC Exposed is a project of the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD).  CMD does NOT accept donations from for-profit corporations or government agencies.  More information about CMD is available [http://www.prwatch.org here].  You can reach the publisher of ALEC Exposed, CMD's Executive Director, Lisa Graves, via editor AT ALECexposed.org.</big>
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Latest revision as of 13:29, 30 September 2023

Through ALEC, Global Corporations Are Scheming to Rewrite YOUR Rights and Boost THEIR Revenue

Through the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council, global corporations and state politicians vote behind closed doors to try to rewrite state laws that govern your rights. These so-called "model bills" reach into almost every area of American life and often directly benefit huge corporations.

In ALEC's own words, corporations have "a VOICE and a VOTE" on specific changes to the law that are then proposed in your state. DO YOU? Numerous resources to help us expose ALEC are provided below. We have also created links to detailed discussions of key issues, which are available on the left.

#50YearsofHarm

Undermining Workers’ Rights and Worker Organizing

Voter Suppression, Gerrymandering, and Other Anti-Democratic Activism

Pushing for a Radical Rewrite of the U.S. Constitution

Crushing Local Democracy

Extending a Lifeline to Big Polluters

Who Is Behind ALEC?

What Is ALEC?

Who Funds ALEC?

ALEC Corporations

ALEC Politicians (all states)

ALEC Non-Profits and Think Tanks

ALEC State Chairs

ALEC "Scholars"

ALEC Boards & Task Forces

ALEC's Koch Connection

Common Cause Trove of ALEC Task Force Docs


Essential ALEC Resources

Using Unions to Carry Big Oil's Water: How the Fossil Fuel Industry and ALEC Criminalized Climate Action in Wisconsin

Report on ALEC "Scholarships"

ExposedbyCMD Articles on ALEC

CMD Fact Sheets on Key Topics

CMD's SourceWatch Resources on ALEC

The Nation Special Edition on ALEC

Common Cause Trove of ALEC Task Force Docs, 2010-2012

DBA Press ALEC Archive, 2014

ProPublica Database of ALEC Corporations' Election Spending, 2011

Abolish ALEC (Daily Kos blog), 2019

Hot Topics

Lobbying and Ethics Complaints

ALEC & NCSL Comparison

Democracy & Voting

Privatizing Education

Repealing Labor Rights

Health & Tobacco

Limiting Environmental Protections

Changing Civil & Criminal Law

Immigration

Corporate Prisons

ALEC's "Model Bills"

Worker and Consumer Rights bills here.
Analysis here.

Tort Reform and Injured Americans bills here.
Analysis here.

Privatizing Schools and Higher Education bills here.
Analysis here.

Health, Big Pharma, and Social Welfare bills here.
Analysis here.

Environment, Energy, and Agriculture bills here.
Analysis here.

Democracy, Voting, and Federal Relations bills here.
Analysis here.

Tax & Budget bills here.
Analysis here.

Guns, Prisons, Crime and Immigration bills here.
Analysis here.

State Reports

ALEC News

ALEC Legislators Dominate Leadership Positions in Republican States

For more than 50 years, the American Legislative Exchange Council has moved a right-wing and pro-corporate Republican agenda of legislation in states across the country — all while posing as a nonpartisan, tax-exempt charity.

Read the rest of this item here.


ALEC Pushes State Anti-Labor Agenda for 2025

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a corporate bill-mill, has laid out its priorities for this year’s state legislative sessions.

Read the rest of this item here.


ALEC Publishes Its Own Project 2025 — for the States

“Now, more than ever, is the time for states to lead.” This assertion by leaders of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) opens the organization’s Essential Policy Solutions playbook for 2025.

Read the rest of this item here.


ALEC Member Strikes a Blow Against Rule Requiring Union Labor on Federal Construction Projects

Contractors engaged in large federal construction projects can’t be required to enter collective bargaining agreements with building trade unions, a federal claims court ruled last week.

Read the rest of this item here.


More ALEC News


Top Leonard Leo Lieutenant Leads ALEC Bootcamp Against “Woke” Capitalism

On December 5, right-wing culture warriors instructed lawmakers attending the American Legislative Exchange Council’s States and Nation Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., on the steps their states can take to upend policies and practices designed to help address the unfolding climate emergency and diversify workforces.

Read the rest of this item here.


ALEC Maps Out Right-Wing Legislative Agenda for 2025 in DC

ALEC state politicians, corporate lobbyists, and right-wing operatives are gathering at the four-star Grand Hyatt Washington to discuss and vote on model policies and resolutions to further climate delayism and preserve the use of fossil fuels, alter state election codes, protect purveyors of misinformation, privatize education, and push their extremist agenda in other ways.

Read the rest of this item here.


An Ex-Con Promoted Campaign Software at ALEC’s Annual Meeting

Just before the American Legislative Exchange Council’s annual meeting in July, a former Oklahoma legislator and convicted felon reached out to ALEC state chairs to market a campaign data management platform favored by the Republican National Committee (RNC).

Read the rest of this item here.


Eight States Will Vote on Amendments to Ban Noncitizen Voting in November

Americans for Citizens Voting is partnering with ALEC to pass noncitizen amendments in at least 11 more states.

Read the rest of this item here.


ALEC Moves a Partisan and Corporate Agenda at This Week’s Annual Meeting in Denver

American Legislative Exchange Council state lawmakers, right-wing operatives, and corporate lobbyists are descending on Denver this week for the pay-to-play group’s 51st Annual Meeting to hear presentations and vote on model policies and resolutions that impact the environment, education, elections, fundamental human rights, and more.

Read the rest of this item here.


Who is ALEC?

ALEC at the Secretive Council for National Policy, May 21, 2021

ALEC was given the platform to present two panels at the Christian Right Council for National Policy's May 2021 meeting where it laid out its top priorities. In the two videos obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy, ALEC CEO Lisa Nelson and national chairs speak candidly on ALEC priorities in "Can the States Save America?" and "Saving America Through the States."

ALEC - The Backroom Where Laws Are Born

This is a glimpse into the world of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a corporate-funded charity that pays for lawmaker trips to resorts where they leave with ready-to-pass bills.

Neither ALEC nor the Georgia legislature would show us where the money comes from, or who it goes to.

A Charity for Lawmakers? ALEC Legislator Resigns to Become Lobbyist

Rep. Ben Harbin resigned after two decades as a Georgia legislator the same day as 11ALive reporters asked him for an interview about the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) meeting where he was found behind closed doors with the top state lobbyist for the cell phone industry.

Atlanta's 11Alive follows up on its behind-the-scenes investigation of ALEC.

Sign up for news and updates from the Center for Media and Democracy
ALEC Exposed is a project of the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD). CMD does NOT accept donations from for-profit corporations or government agencies. More information about CMD is available here. You can reach CMD's Executive Director, Arn Pearson, via editor AT ALECexposed.org. Privacy policy: Other than material you post to this wiki in your name, our privacy policy is that we will not disclose private personally identifiable information or data about you, such as your name, email address, or other information, unless required by law. On copyright: ALEC Exposed considers contributions to this wiki to be released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License or in accordance with law. Information on how to provide us with notice regarding copyright is available at this link. Notices regarding copyright or other matters should be sent to our designated agent, Arn Pearson, via email (editor AT ALECexposed.org).