Legislators Who Have Cut Ties to ALEC

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This page contains a list of legislators who have cut ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

About ALEC
ALEC is a corporate bill mill. It is not just a lobby or a front group; it is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, corporations hand state legislators their wishlists to benefit their bottom line. Corporations fund almost all of ALEC's operations. They pay for a seat on ALEC task forces where corporate lobbyists and special interest reps vote with elected officials to approve “model” bills. Learn more at the Center for Media and Democracy's ALECexposed.org, and check out breaking news on our PRWatch.org site.

For a list of legislators with current or former ties to ALEC, see ALEC Politicians. As of June 2014, at least 78 state legislators have cut ties with ALEC:

Connecticut

  • Rep. Gail Lavielle (CT R-143) was listed as a member of ALEC's Education Task Force as of July 2011,[1] but according to ALEC only attended the one meeting,[2] and was not a member as of June 2013[3] or May 2014.[4]

Georgia

  • Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) - In a statement to the citizens’ action group Better Georgia on April 17, 2012, Orrock denounced ALEC, calling it “radical,” “dangerous” and accused it of “impeding democracy.”[5]
“As a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council for several years, having joined ALEC with the primary goal of better understanding the corporate-dominated organization, I know first-hand that ALEC is not the innocuous organization it claims to be,” Orrock said.[5]

Illinois

  • Rep. Mary E. Flowers (D-31) - Flowers' staffer reported in May 2012 that Flowers is no longer a member of ALEC.[6]
  • Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-118) - Phelps announced in May 2012 that he is no longer a member of ALEC.[7]

Iowa

  • Senate Majority Leader Michael E. Gronstal (D-Council Bluffs) - Gronstal renounced ALEC in a statement on behalf of all Democratic members of the Iowa State Senate in January 2014.[8]
  • Rep. Brian Quirk (D-15) - Quirk told the DesMoines Register in May 2012 that he had cancelled his membership in ALEC.[9]

Kentucky

  • Sen. Denise Harper-Angel (D-35) - Harper-Angel told told KPR-Frankfort in May 2012 that she had requested to leave ALEC.[10]
  • Sen. Ray Jones - Jones told KPR-Frankfort in May 2012 that he had requested to leave ALEC.[10]
  • Sen. Tim Shaughnessy - Shaughnessy told KPR-Frankfort in May 2012 that he had requested to leave ALEC.[10]
  • Sen. Kathy Stein - Stein told KPR-Frankfort in May 2012 that she had requested to leave ALEC.[10]

Louisiana

  • Rep. Greg Cromer (R-Slidell) - Cromer had been ALEC state chair of Louisiana since December 2010. Cromer announced on April 17, 2012 that he is resigning from ALEC "after learning that he was left out of the loop in a pre-session meeting between ALEC staff members and House Retirement Chairman Kevin Pearson (R-Slidell) and Senate Retirement Chairman Elbert Guillory (D-Opelousas)," according to the Louisiana Voice.[11]
“It has been brought to my attention that there have been meetings and/or activities with ALEC staff members within the state of Louisiana that I have not been privy to,” Cromer wrote in his resignation letter that went out as an email to key lawmakers and staffers.[11]

Michigan

  • Sen. Rick Jones (R-24) - Jones told Detroit News in August 2012 that he was no longer a member because "I thought (attending ALEC conferences) would be looked at by my constituents as a junket."[12]

Missouri

  • Rep. Mike Colona (D-St. Louis) - Colona announced on April 12, 2012 that he was ending his relationship with ALEC. “Their agenda is radical and wrong for Missouri. I was a member and saw firsthand the sort of extreme legislation they push on state legislators around the country,” Cromer said in a statement to the organization "Progress Missouri."[13]

Nebraska

  • Sen. Danielle Conrad (D) - Conrad cancelled her ALEC membership on April 25, 2012[14][15] In December 2013, she said in a press conference that ALEC is "having dramatic, negative effects on our democracy."[16]
  • Sen. Tony Fulton (R) - Fulton announced he had declined to renew his ALEC membership on April 25, 2012[17]
  • Sen. Ken Haar - Haar told the Omaha World-Herald in April 2012 that he had "recently decided not to renew his membership."[15]
  • Sen. Heath Mello (D) - Mello cancelled his ALEC membership on April 25, 2012[18][15]
  • Sen. Jeremy Nordquist (D) - Nordquist cancelled his ALEC membership on April 25, 2012[19][15]

New Hampshire

  • Rep. Robert L. Theberge (D-4) - Theberge told the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, "It is true that I was a member of ALEC several years ago. My intention was to bring forth a different perspective on issues. However, I quickly learned that the voice, of what I believed to be reason, did not prevail. I was also concerned about the make-up of the members where businesses and corporations had a direct voice and vote on national issues. In particular, pressure was placed on members to put forth legislation and provided with boiler plates for legislation to that end. In conclusion, I am no longer a member of ALEC, nor do I support their views. . . . The organization is protected by the First Amendment, and hearing opposite views hopefully gives everyone food for thought. The latter apparently does not resonate with ALEC's membership."[20]

New Mexico

  • Sen. George Muñoz (D-Cibola & McKinley) - Muñoz announced April 20, 2012 that he was ending his relationship with ALEC, saying he "feels that ALEC is not right for New Mexicans."[21]

Oklahoma

  • Sen. Jabar Shumate (D-11) - Shumate cancelled his membership in ALEC effective April 30, 2012.[22]

Pennsylvania

House of Representatives

  • Rep. Ted Harhai (D-58) - Harhai announced in May 2012 that he is no longer an ALEC member[23]
  • Rep. Kate Harper (R-61) - Harper announced in April 2012 that she is no longer an ALEC member[24]
  • Rep. William Keller (D-184) - Keller announced in May 2012 that he is no longer an ALEC member[23]
  • Rep. Nick Kotik (D-45) - Kotik announced in May 2012 that he is no longer an ALEC member[23]
  • Rep. Sandra Major (R-111) - Major announced in April 2012 that she does not plan to renew her ALEC membership[24]
  • Rep. Joseph Markosek (D-25) - Markosek announced in May 2012 that he is no longer an ALEC member[23]
  • Rep. Nicholas Micozzie (R-163) - Micozzie announced in May 2012 that he is no longer an ALEC member[23]
  • Rep. Mark Mustio (R-44) - Mustio announced in April 2012 that he is no longer an ALEC member[24]
  • Rep. Joseph Petrarca (D-55) - Petrarca told Politics PA in May 202 that he "has no ties and has never been a member of ALEC.”[25]
  • Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-36) - Readshaw claimed in April 2012 that he was never an ALEC member[24]
  • Rep. Curtis Thomas (D-181) - Thomas announced in May 2012 that he was cutting ties to ALEC.[26]
  • Rep. Mike Turzai (R-28) - Turzai told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in March 2012 that he is no longer an ALEC member[27]

Senate

  • Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-18) - Boscola announced in May 2012 that she is no longer an ALEC member[23]
  • Sen. Jacob Corman (R-34) - Corman announced in May 2012 that he is no longer an ALEC member[26]
  • Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-12) - Greenleaf told Keystone Progress in May 2012 that "I have a membership with ALEC but because of concerns that have [been] raised by my constituents I will not be renewing it."[28]
  • Sen. John Pippy (R-37) - Pippy's staff announced in April 2012 that he is no longer an ALEC member[24]
  • Sen. Leanna Washington (D-4) - Washington announced in May 2012 that she is no longer an ALEC member[23]
  • Sen. Anthony Williams (D-8) - Williams, who has used PA state funding for ALEC,[29] "vociferously protested being identified with ALEC," according to Keystone Progress. "As a staunch advocate for school choice, I’m often invited to attend and speak at myriad events, locally and nationally, held by those who share my beliefs and those who vigorously oppose them. I make no apologies for my views on choice, because a broad set of educational options is among the best hopes students have to attain the skills needed to be productive and competitive in a global, 21st century society. However, I’ve never sought membership in the American Legislative Exchange Council nor have I ever been a member,” said Williams. “Lastly, ALEC does not represent my values or beliefs.”[23]

Rhode Island

  • Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D-Smithfield) - Tassoni told the Providence Journal on May 1, 2012, "I'm not sure how I became a member, but having learned recently about the enormous amount of corporate funding for the group and corporate influence on the group, I have decided to terminate my membership."[30]
  • Sen. Walter Felag (D-Warren) - Felag told the Providence Journal through a spokesman on April 27, 2012 that he is "currently exploring how to terminate his membership in ALEC."[31]

South Carolina

  • Rep. Jimmy C. Bales (D-80) - Bales told Unite Blue SC in January 2014, "I did not renew ALEC registration when received in April 2012."[32]
  • Rep. Ted Vick (D-Chesterfield County) - Vick announced April 24, 2012 that he was ending his 8-year relationship with ALEC. He made the following statement: "Over the years, ALEC has steadily drifted to the right and away from its original purpose. . . . Recent revelations concerning ALEC’s funding sources from radical elements have proven to be the final straw for me. ALEC has become too partisan and too extreme. . . . ALEC has become part of the problem and I can no longer be a member of this organization."[33]

Tennessee

  • Rep. Joe Armstrong (D-Knoxville) - told Knox News in July 2012 that "he stopped paying dues in 2010 and, after discovering he was still listed as a member, sending a resignation notice" in 2012.[34]
  • Rep. David Shepard (D-Dickson) - told Knox News in July 2012 that "he joined and paid his first year's dues in 2010 -- $100 -- but never actually attended a meeting, then sent repeated notice of his resignation" in 2012.[34]

Texas

  • Rep. Alma Allen (D-131) - Allen said in a statement to the organization "Progress Texas," "As a legislator, I value the input that non-partisan organizations contribute to various issues. However, I do not believe that the American Legislative Exchange Council is a non-partisan organization. Due to the legislation that ALEC has been involved in forming and promoting, I will not be renewing my membership. I value and listen to all opinions, but ALEC's agenda has become harmful to my constituents, and the people of the State of Texas."[35]
  • Rep. Armando Martinez (D-Weslaco) - Announced he would not be renewing his ALEC membership in April 2012.[36]
  • Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin) - Announced she would not be renewing her ALEC membership in April 2012.[36]
  • Rep. Hubert Vo (D-Houston) - Announced he would not be renewing his ALEC membership in April 2012.[36]
  • Rep. Harold Dutton (D-Houston) - Announced he would not be renewing his ALEC membership in April 2012.[36]
  • Rep. Chente Quintanilla (D-Tornillo) - Announced he would not be renewing his ALEC membership in April 2012.[36]
  • Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) - Announced he would not be renewing his ALEC membership in April 2012.[36]
  • Rep. José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) - Announced he would not be renewing his ALEC membership in April 2012.[36]
  • Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio) - Announced she would not be renewing her ALEC membership in April 2012.[36]
  • Rep. Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) - Announced he would not be renewing his ALEC membership in April 2012.[36]
  • Rep. Tracy O. King (D-80) - Announced he would not be renewing his ALEC membership in April 2012.[36]
  • Rep. Ryan Guillen (D-31) - Announced he would not be renewing his ALEC membership in April 2012.[37]
  • Sen. Robert Deuell (R-2) - Announced he would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Sen. Glenn Hegar (R-18) - Announced he would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Sen. Eddie Lucio (D-27) - Announced he would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Sen. Carlos Uresti (D-19) - Announced he would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Sen. John Whitmire (D-15) - Announced he would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Rep. Leo Berman (R-6) - Announced he would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Rep. Myra Crownover (R-64) - Announced she would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Rep. Jim Keffer (R-60) - Announced he would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Rep. Dee Margo (R-78) - Announced she would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Rep. Jim Murphy (R-133) - Announced he would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Rep. Diane Patrick (R-94) - Announced she would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-150) - Announced she would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]
  • Rep. James White (R-12) - Announced he would be leaving ALEC in August, 2012 [38]

Utah

  • Rep. Jennifer M. Seelig (D-23) - Seelig contacted ALEC on April 9, 2012 to confirm that her membership has lapsed and will not be renewed.[39]
  • Rep. Christine Watkins (D-69) - Watkins withdrew her ALEC membership publicly on July 16, 2012.[40]Peg McEntee, McEntee: Lawmaker quits ALEC over lack of openness, The Salt Lake Tribune, July 18, 2012</ref>

Washington

  • Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim, Majority State Whip) - Van De Wege made the following statement to the organization "Fuse Washington" on his resignation from ALEC:
“I have decided to resign my membership from ALEC, effective April 11, 2012. As a legislator, my job is to represent the interests of all my constituents, not just those whose views align perfectly with mine. I have been a member of ALEC since I was first elected to the Legislature, and my very-limited participation enabled me to learn more about the organization’s legislative agenda and its stance on issues. I thought this insider’s view would help me to better understand those who do not agree with me politically, and in many ways, it has. However, my membership status is increasingly becoming a divisive issue this year, and I prefer to put my time and energy into efforts that unite our district rather than divide it.”[41]
  • Rep. Troy Kelley (D-28) - Kelley said he did attend one meeting but told Washington's Newsstand News that he does not participate in ALEC and is not a member.[42]
  • Rep. Brian Hatfield (D-19) - Hatfield announced in April 2012 that he has not renewed his ALEC membership and has no plans to attend upcoming ALEC meetings.[43]

Wisconsin

  • Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-13) - A staff member stated in a July 2013 email to constituents that Sen. Fitzgerald is no longer an ALEC member.[44]
  • Sen. Mary Lazich (R-28) - Lazich told a constituent by email in March 2013 that she is no longer an ALEC member.[45]

Wyoming

  • Sen. John Hastert (D-13) - Hastert declined to renew his ALEC membership in June 2012.[46]

References

  1. ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Education Task Force Members, organizational document, July 1, 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause on April 26, 2012
  2. ↑ Bill Meierling, Senior Director, Public Affairs, American Legislative Exchange Council, Letter to Rep. Gail Lavielle, June 3, 2014.
  3. ↑ Laurel Buckley, Corporate and Nonprofit Relations Manager, American Legislative Exchange Council, RE: ALEC Membership Status, email to Rep. Gail Lavielle, June 21, 2013.
  4. ↑ Laurel Buckley, Corporate and Nonprofit Relations Manager, American Legislative Exchange Council, Letter to Rep. Gail Lavielle (CT), May 29, 2014. "I have looked you up in our database and you are not listed as an ALEC member or as a member of the education task force."
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 David Ferguson, Georgia lawmaker quits ALEC, calls it ‘radical’ group with ‘dangerous agenda’, Raw Story, April 17, 2012, accessed April 2012
  6. ↑ Debra Nance, Secretary, Rep. Mary E. Flowers (D-31), Illinois, email on file with CMD, May 4, 2012
  7. ↑ Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-118), Illinois, email on file with CMD, May 15, 2012
  8. ↑ Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, Statement from Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, state senate news release, January 9, 2014.
  9. ↑ Jason Noble, Iowa Democrat drops membership in conservative legislative advocacy group, DesMoines Register, May 16, 2012
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Kenny Colston, Several Senate Democrats Remain ALEC Members, KPR-Frankfort, local NPR affiliate news radio station, May 18, 2012
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Tom Aswell, First it was corporations bailing out; now the parade of Louisiana Legislators exiting ALEC membership begins, Louisiana Voice, April 18 2012, accessed April 2012
  12. ↑ Karen Bouffard, Many GOP-backed bills in Michigan copied from 'model bills', group says, Detroit News, August 13, 2012
  13. ↑ Rep. Mike Colona (D-MO), ALEC IS "TOO EXTREME FOR ME AND THE PEOPLE OF MISSOURI", statement to Progress Missouri, April 12, 2012, accessed April 2012
  14. ↑ Danielle Conrad, Re: ALEC Membership, email to Chaz Cirame, D. Muckley & B. Mulder, ALEC staff, April 25, 2012, on file with CMD
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Paul Hammel, 4 senators leave council, citing 'extreme' agenda, Omaha World-Herald, April 30, 2012
  16. ↑ Kevin O'Hanlon, Lawmakers lash out at conservative business group, Lincoln Journal Star, December 4, 2013.
  17. ↑ Tony Fulton, Re: Alec, email to Jane Kleeb, Bold Nebraska, April 25, 2012, on file with CMD
  18. ↑ Heath Mello, Re: ALEC Membership, email to Chaz Cirame, D. Muckley & B. Mulder, ALEC staff, April 25, 2012, on file with CMD
  19. ↑ Jeremy Nordquist, Re: Cancel ALEC Membership, email to Chaz Cirame, D. Muckley & B. Mulder, ALEC staff, April 25, 2012, on file with CMD
  20. ↑ Rep. Robert L. Theberge, Re: ALEC, Email to Progressive Change Campaign Committee, April 27, 2012, on file with CMD
  21. ↑ Sen. George Muñoz, NM Sen Muñoz Resigns from ALEC, letter to New Mexico state legislature, April 20, 2012, accessed April 2012
  22. ↑ Laura Elliott, Director of State Programs, American Legislative Exchange Council, Email to Sen. Jabar Shumate RE: Membership, email from ALEC staff confirming membership cancellation, April 30, 2012.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.7 Keystone Progress, Huge exodus from American Legislative Exchange Council is largest in nation, organizational press release, May 15, 2012
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 Keystone Progress, Thank your legislator for rejecting ALEC, organizational campaign website, accessed April 25, 2012
  25. ↑ Patrick McAteer, In PA: The Battle Against ALEC Rages On, Politics PA, May 16, 2012
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Keystone Progress, Whose side is your legislator on?, organizational ALEC membership listing, accessed May 22, 2012
  27. ↑ Laura Olson, Analysis finds state legislation copied from D.C. group, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 30, 2012, accessed May 15, 2012
  28. ↑ Keystone Progress, 16th PA Legislator Quits ALEC, organizational blog post, May 19, 2012
  29. ↑ PA ALEC Files, information obtained by Keystone Progress via Right to Know Law requests, uploaded May 10, 2012, accessed May 15, 2012
  30. ↑ Philip Marcelo, Two R.I. state senators now want out of ALEC, Providence Journal, May 1, 2012
  31. ↑ Philip Marcelo, R.I. Sen. Felag wants out of his ALEC membership, Providence Journal, April 27, 2012
  32. ↑ Unite Blue SC, S C. State Rep. Jimmy C. Bales (D-80), told us today "I did not renew ALEC registration when received in April 2012" #sctweets #UniteBlue, Twitter feed, January 1, 2014.
  33. ↑ Rep. Ted Vick, Ted Vick Resigns From ALEC, press release published by FITSnews.com, April 24, 2012, accessed April 2012
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Tom Humphrey, Two TN Democrats Quit ALEC as Republican Legislators Praise It, Knox News "Humphrey on the Hill" column, July 29, 2012.
  35. ↑ Kenneth Quinnell, ALEC's Really Bad Day, Crooks and Liars, April 13, 2012, accessed April 2012
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 36.6 36.7 36.8 36.9 MNDem999, ALEC - Losing the Love of Legislators, Daily Kos, April 19, 2012
  37. ↑ Progress Texas, 12 Texas Legislators Cut Ties to ALEC, Most in Country, press release, April 25, 2012, on file with CMD
  38. ↑ 38.00 38.01 38.02 38.03 38.04 38.05 38.06 38.07 38.08 38.09 38.10 38.11 38.12 Progress Texas, 10 TX Republicans, Last 3 TX Democrats Leave ALEC organizational website, August 16, 2012
  39. ↑ Chaz Cirame, Senior Director of Membership and Meetings, American Legislative Exchange Council, RE: Utah. Rep. Seelig, email to Rep. Jennifer Seelig, April 16, 2012, on file with CMD
  40. ↑ Alliance for a Better Utah, Utah Lawmaker Resigns From ALEC – Better UTAH Applauds Her Decision, organizational press release, July 16, 2012
  41. ↑ Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D-WA), Rep. Kevin Van De Wege Resigns from ALEC, Statement to Fuse Washington, April 12, 2012
  42. ↑ David Groves, ALEC UPDATE, "Washington's Newsstand News", April 26, 2012
  43. ↑ Sen. Brian Hatfield, Statement to The Stand, April 26, 2012
  44. ↑ Sen. Scott Fitzgerald staff member, RE: Question, email to constituent, July 9, 2013, on file with CMD.
  45. ↑ Sen. Mary Lazich, Re: ALEC Exposed, email to constituent, March 25, 2013, on file with CMD.
  46. ↑ Email on file with CMD
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