** [http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/3/34/1E10-Starting_%28Minimum%29_Wage_Repeal_Act_Exposed.pdf Repealing minimum wage laws] or [http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/1/1c/1F5-Resolution_in_Opposition_to_any_Increase_in_the_Starting_%28Minimum%29_Wage_Exposed.pdf opposing increases in the minimum wage]
** [http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/3/34/1E10-Starting_%28Minimum%29_Wage_Repeal_Act_Exposed.pdf Repealing minimum wage laws] or [http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/1/1c/1F5-Resolution_in_Opposition_to_any_Increase_in_the_Starting_%28Minimum%29_Wage_Exposed.pdf opposing increases in the minimum wage]
** [http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/6/60/1E8-Prevailing_Wage_Repeal_Act_Exposed.pdf '''Repeals the prevailing wage paid for government projects'''], which lowers wage standards, potentially lowers the quality of public works projects, and undermines the competitiveness of potential contractors that have union employees
** [http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/6/60/1E8-Prevailing_Wage_Repeal_Act_Exposed.pdf '''Repealing the prevailing wage paid for government projects'''], which lowers wage standards, potentially lowers the quality of public works projects, and undermines the competitiveness of potential contractors that have union employees
*'''Pushing international agreements that undermine the opportunities of American workers--'''
*'''Pushing international agreements that undermine the opportunities of American workers--'''
**Favoring so-called "free trade" agreements that ships good-paying American jobs overseas to developing nations that pay workers subsistence wages (see the list [http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/Bills_Affecting_Workers_Rights#Trade_.26_International_Relations here])
**Favoring so-called "free trade" agreements that ships good-paying American jobs overseas to developing nations that pay workers subsistence wages (see the list [http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/Bills_Affecting_Workers_Rights#Trade_.26_International_Relations here])
*'''Uses tax dollars to subsidize for-profit corporations for work traditionally performed by government, such as--
*'''Using tax dollars to subsidize for-profit corporations for work traditionally performed by government, such as--
**'''[http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/4/4e/1C3-COUNCIL_ON_EFFICIENT_GOVERNMENT_ACT_Exposed.pdf The "Council on Efficient Government Act"]''' that outsources public services and weakens public employee unions, and
**'''[http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/4/4e/1C3-COUNCIL_ON_EFFICIENT_GOVERNMENT_ACT_Exposed.pdf The "Council on Efficient Government Act"]''' that outsources public services and weakens public employee unions, and
**The [http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/d/dd/1C2-COMPETITIVE_CONTRACTING_OF_PUBLIC_SERVICES_ACT_Exposed.pdf '''"Competitive Contracting of Public Services Act"'''] and [http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/8/8b/1C8-PUBLIC-PRIVATE_FAIR_COMPETITION_ACT_Exposed.pdf '''"Public-Private Fair Competition Act"'''], bills that require agencies to consider whether services can be provided by private entities at lower cost, which reduces the amount paid to workers while adding a profit margin in for corporate executives.
**The [http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/d/dd/1C2-COMPETITIVE_CONTRACTING_OF_PUBLIC_SERVICES_ACT_Exposed.pdf '''"Competitive Contracting of Public Services Act"'''] and [http://www.alecexposed.org/w/images/8/8b/1C8-PUBLIC-PRIVATE_FAIR_COMPETITION_ACT_Exposed.pdf '''"Public-Private Fair Competition Act"'''], bills that require agencies to consider whether services can be provided by private entities at lower cost, which reduces the amount paid to workers while adding a profit margin in for corporate executives.
* '''And, deterring injured employees from making worker’s compensation claims''':
* '''And, deterring injured employees from making worker’s compensation claims''' by, for example, [http://alecexposed.org/w/images/8/8b/1Q5-Workers_Compensation_Medical_Records_Disclosure_Act_Exposed.pdf '''giving employers wide access to employees' medical records''']
*[http://alecexposed.org/w/images/8/8b/1Q5-Workers_Compensation_Medical_Records_Disclosure_Act_Exposed.pdf '''For example, giving employers wide access to employees' medical records''']
'' '''To see a full list of bills, click [[Bills Affecting Workers Rights| here]].''' ''
'' '''To see a full list of bills, click [[Bills Affecting Workers Rights| here]].''' ''
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*[http://alecexposed.org/w/images/0/0a/1H0-Resolution_in_Opposition_to_Government_Imposed_Caps_or_Elimination_of_ATM_Service_Charges_Exposed.pdf '''Opposing limits on ATM fees''']
*[http://alecexposed.org/w/images/0/0a/1H0-Resolution_in_Opposition_to_Government_Imposed_Caps_or_Elimination_of_ATM_Service_Charges_Exposed.pdf '''Opposing limits on ATM fees''']
*[http://alecexposed.org/w/images/f/f0/1L6-Resolution_Supporting_Territorial_Rating_Exposed.pdf '''Allowing insurance companies to engage in "red-lining" by re-branding the practice "territorial ratings" ''')
*[http://alecexposed.org/w/images/f/f0/1L6-Resolution_Supporting_Territorial_Rating_Exposed.pdf '''Allowing insurance companies to engage in "red-lining" by re-branding the practice "territorial ratings" ''']
*[http://alecexposed.org/w/images/0/08/1G7-State_Power_to_Regulate_Lending_Act_Exposed.pdf Prohibiting local governments from regulating unfair or predatory lending practices'''] (and also backing high interest loans secured by car titles, detailed below)
*[http://alecexposed.org/w/images/0/08/1G7-State_Power_to_Regulate_Lending_Act_Exposed.pdf '''Prohibiting local governments from regulating unfair or predatory lending practices'''] (such as prohibitions on backing high interest loans with car titles, detailed below)
*[http://alecexposed.org/wiki/File:1A0-Affordable_Housing_Construction_Stimulation_Act_Exposed.pdf '''Eliminating building and maintenance codes for affordable housing'''] under the guise of "increasing the construction of low-income housing"
*[http://alecexposed.org/wiki/File:1A0-Affordable_Housing_Construction_Stimulation_Act_Exposed.pdf '''Eliminating building and maintenance codes for affordable housing'''] under the guise of "increasing the construction of low-income housing"
Revision as of 23:00, 5 July 2011
ALEC's Efforts to Limit Worker and Consumer Rights, Privatize Government Services, and Push "Free" Trade
Through the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council, global corporations and state politicians are voting behind closed doors to try to rewrite state laws. Bills here seek to limit workers rights and drain labor unions of resources for protecting employees, undermine consumer protections, favor the Wall Street financial agenda, limit the ability to cap exhorbitant interest rates on credit cards and big bank fees. The bills and resolutions here also attempt to funnel tax dollars to for-profit corporations through privatization schemes and push the "free trade" agenda that has shipped good-paying American jobs overseas.
SPREAD THE WORD. Share information about ALEC through Facebook, e-mail and Twitter. Concerned groups and people in every state need this to investigate how ALEC corporations are rewriting laws for their own advantage. And, please join the conversation on Facebook!
EXPOSE ALEC LEGISLATORS. 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.
EXPOSE ALEC'S ROLE IN YOUR STATE HOUSE. 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.
SHARE YOUR DISCOVERIES. Tell us what you uncovered! Tweet what you learn with the hashtag #ALECexposed, join a discussion on this site or email us a confidential tip via editor AT ALECexposed.org. And, follow our tweets on Twitter!
Learn MORE about the "Model Bills" ALEC Corporations Are Backing to Rewrite YOUR Rights
The Center for Media and Democracy analyzed the bills ALEC politicians and corporations voted for. More analysis is available below and also at ALEC Exposed's sister sites, PRWatch and SourceWatch.
How are corporations undermining workers through these bills?
These bills erode the rights of workers in favor of corporate interests by:
Limiting union rights (the rights of firefighters, police, teachers, and other public workers)--
Pushing international agreements that undermine the opportunities of American workers--
Favoring so-called "free trade" agreements that ships good-paying American jobs overseas to developing nations that pay workers subsistence wages (see the list here)
Using tax dollars to subsidize for-profit corporations for work traditionally performed by government, such as--
Authorizing "Car Title Pledges" for Predatory Lenders
One "model bill" approved by ALEC corporations would authorize a form of short-term lending that many states have recognized as unfair and predatory to low-income consumers. Specifically, it advances the interest of lending companies in giving short-term, 30-day renewable loans backed by a borrower's car title, loans that usually have high interest rates, which are very difficult for people to in difficult financial circumstances to keep up with.
Consumer groups have opposed this type of lending not only because the high interest rates and short-term repayment period can trap consumers in a cycle of debt, but also because it risks losing their cars, which are often needed to get to work. The bill also provides few consumer protections, for example failing to include a private right of action with strong remedies, and requiring that all claims be brought within one year. This provides little deterrence for predatory lenders, and because the budgets of regulatory agencies are limited, the state cannot adequately protect against abuses.
The Consumer Federation of America, USPIRG, and the Center for Responsible Lending sent a letter to ALEC opposing "car title pledges" in November 2005, enumerating many examples of predatory title lending, and also pointing out the distorting influence of campaign contributors from this sector of sound public policy. Bills like this have become law in Mississippi, Tennessee, and elsewhere; the ban on this type of predatory lending was also rolled-back in Wisconsin after ALEC alum Scott Walker became governor in 2011.
How corporations undermine consumer rights in the bills?
These bills restrict the rights of consumers in favor of the big banks, predatory lenders, and others by:
And, among other things, Limiting the ability to fund comprehensive transportation policies through a state Constitutional Amendment requiring that revenues from gas taxes and vehicle-related fees be used for highways, rather than investment in light rail or bike lanes or other options less profitable for oil companies.
Some of this Corporate Agenda Has Already Become Law
Wisconsin Governor (and ALEC alum) Scott Walker took a cue from the ALEC corporate wish list and introduced a radical bill in February 2011 to cripple public employee unions. Wisconsin Act 10 inspired months of protests and has been subjected to a series of legal challenges.
There is no ALEC bill that exactly mirrors Walker's proposal, but the Wisconsin bill does comport with ALEC's sweeping anti-union agenda, which includes decades of support for "Right to Work" and "Paycheck Protection" legislation and other measures to disempower and defund unions. On collective bargaining, ALEC's "Public Employee Freedom Act" declares that "an employee should be able to contract on their own terms" and "mandatory collective bargaining laws violate this freedom." This ALEC bill and the "Public Employer Payroll Deduction Act" prohibit automatic payroll deductions for union dues, a key aspect of the Walker bill. To learn more about this story, PLACEHOLDER.
Have any of these bills been introduced or enacted in YOUR state?
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).
