I must admit I keep my eye on the news almost 24/7. It's on Fox because they are the most balanced news source. I have learned a lot from them and they are easy to fact check. ALEC was discussed on Tucker Carlson Tonight or Hannity. This lesson will teach us about how policies are being made outside of Congress on state levels as well as federal. The information will be taken from their own website. I urge you to investigate the people who are making policies on our behalf. It seems that there is a new legal way to lobby.
What is ALEC?
The American Legislative Exchange Council is America’s largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism. Comprised of nearly one-quarter of the country’s state legislators and stakeholders from across the policy spectrum, ALEC members represent more than 60 million Americans and provide jobs to more than 30 million people in the United States
ALEC is a forum for stakeholders to exchange ideas and develop real, state-based solutions to encourage growth, preserve economic security and protect hardworking taxpayers. ALEC members understand the importance of hearing from all sides of an issue and value public-private partnership in policy discussions. Job creators and state legislators alike come to ALEC to offer important policy perspectives to ensure economic security and opportunity in their communities.
Leadership:
The leadership of ALEC consists of lawmakers and business men and women. Are you surprised? You shouldn't be. Its just a new way for businesses to control the government
Board of Directors: A dedicated team of state legislative leaders from across the country serves as the governing board of ALEC. They are among the vanguard for freedom who dedicate their time and resources to promote limited government, free markets and federalism. (Sen. Jim Smith Nebraska Senate,Rep. David Reis Illinois House of Representatives, Rep. Phil King Texas House of Representatives. Just to name a few)
Board of Scholars: The ALEC Board of Scholars Program honors those whose distinguished work and dedication to market-based policy innovations have been, and continue to be, invaluable to ALEC and its membership.(Dr. Richard Vedder Ohio University, Bob Williams Senior Fellow, Center for State Fiscal Reform at State Budget Solutions, Arthur B. Laffer is the founder and chairman of Laffer Associates, an economic research and consulting firm. Just to name a few)
Private Enterprise Advisory Council: o better promote the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism with real-world business experience, the ALEC Board of Directors enlists an advisory team of private-sector industry leaders. (Bill Carmichael American Bail Coalition, Steve DelBianco NetChoice: NetChoice is a trade association of eCommerce businesses and online consumers all of whom share the goal of promoting convenience, choice, and commerce on the net. Frayda Levin: https://littlesis.org/person/87610/Frayda_Levin. Just to name a few)
ALEC Executives A vibrant team of experienced leaders, with Lisa B. Nelson at the helm, guide day-to-day ALEC staff operations. With expertise in strategic planning and crisis management spanning her entire career, Lisa successfully led several coalition-based efforts in the financial services, technology, content and communications industries at both the state and federal levels.
Model Policies
1.Resolution to encourage Congress to cut the tax rate
This resolution encourages Congress to cut the 35 percent federal corporate tax rate and replace the U.S.’s “cross-border” tax system with a “home country” tax system in order to improve the ability of the 50 U.S. states to compete for international investment and jobs in the global economy.
https://www.alec.org/model-policy/resolution-urging-congress-to-cut-the-federal-corporate-tax-rate-2/
2. DRAFT RESOLUTION URGING THE PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS TO SUPPORT CONTINUED U.S. PARTICIPATION IN THE U.S.-KOREA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (KORUS FTA)
Within the last decade, the Asia-Pacific region has become the fastest growing region in the world, with the International Monetary Fund predicting that it will remain the global leader of economic advancement and maintain 2018 growth projections of up to 5.4 percent. Since it came into force in 2012, the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) has been mutually beneficial for both parties,
https://www.alec.org/model-policy/draft-resolution-urging-the-presidential-administration-and-congress-to-support-continued-u-s-participation-in-the-u-s-korea-free-trade-agreement-korus-fta/
3.RESOLUTION URGING CANADA’S TRUDEAU ADMINISTRATION TO PROTECT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS BY DISMANTLING THE PROMISE DOCTRINE AND OPPOSING SIMILAR INITIATIVES PROPOSED BY TRADING PARTNERS WORLDWIDE
Canada has long ranked surprisingly low among developed nations in the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR). A significant reason for this is Canada’s invalidation of biopharmaceutical patents, due to its embrace of a legal theory called the “Promise Doctrine.”
https://www.alec.org/model-policy/resolution-urging-canadas-trudeau-administration-to-protect-intellectual-property-rights-by-dismantling-the-promise-doctrine-and-opposing-similar-initiatives-proposed-by-trading-partners-worl/
4. NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING PROTECTION ACT
Natural hair braiding is a traditional practice that is safe. This policy would exempt natural hairbraiders from all occupational licensing requirements.
https://www.alec.org/model-policy/natural-hair-braiding-protection-act/
5. A LOCAL RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF STATE MINIMUM WAGE LAW
Minimum wage laws have been a matter of great debate in our nation. Most scholars on federalism would agree that if a minimum wage was necessary, it would be the responsibility of the states to enact such a law. This resolution upholds the belief that local governments do not have the authority to set a minimum wages for their citizens and if necessary should be managed by the state.
https://www.alec.org/model-policy/a-local-resolution-in-support-of-state-minimum-wage-law/
6. RESOLUTION ON AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE LEGISLATION AND REGULATION
This resolution holds that autonomous vehicle research, development, testing, and operational functionality should not be impaired by unnecessary legislative or regulatory intervention.
https://www.alec.org/model-policy/resolution-autonomous-vehicle-legislation-regulation/
Info on Members and their affiliation to businesses
1. Rep. Jason Saine board of directors
Saine was recognized for his work in IT recently by winning the North Carolina Technology Association’s Public Leadership Award. He has also led on a number of important issues during the 2015 Legislative session, including: creating a cabinet level Department of Information Technology, protecting student and employee social media privacy, changing State tax law to incentivize IT job creation, and encouraging IT innovation at colleges and universities and in State government.
In 2013 Saine was appointed by Speaker Thom Tillis to serve as the first ever House Appropriations Chairman of Information Technology. In that role, he oversees roughly $1.6 billion in technology spending for the state of North Carolina. He was reappointed to continue in that role in by Speaker Moore in 2015.
Jason has been at the forefront of innovation. From being named the Public Leadership Award winner by the North Carolina Technology Association only one year into his first full term, to being a member of the FCC Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, Jason has been a leader in bringing technology and investments to North Carolina. http://www.jasonsaine.com/
2. Senate President Wayne Niederhauser
Wayne is also an owner of CW Management Corporation, a real estate development company located in West Jordan. CW focuses on residential and commercial projects that enhance a quality lifestyle and the surrounding community. They are a leader in designing open space, parks and trails as a integral part of development. Their Spring View Farms project located along the Jordan River in Bluffdale was awarded the 2004 Merit of Planning Design by Envision Utah.
Sen. Niederhauser is a Certified Public Accountant. He is committed to an accoutable, transparent, and participatory government. To this end, he successfully sponsored legislation creating the State Financial Transparency website, transparent.utah.gov. The website provides public access to state financial information, such as Utah Tax Commission reports, state audits, and public searches.
In addition to his service in the Utah Senate, Sen. Niederhauser is a board member for Envision Utah, the Sports Commission, the Visit Salt Lake Board (local CVB), and the Shakespearean Festival Board. In November of 2012 he was elected Senate President.
3. Rep. Yvette Herrell- ALEC Board of Directors
Occupation: Real Estate Investment
https://www.nmlegis.gov/Members/Legislator?SponCode=HHERY&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
4. Speaker Linda Upmeyer
She grew up on a family farm before attending North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC), the University of Iowa, and Drake University. She has a Master’s Degree in Nursing and is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
Linda has taken on several leadership roles in the past – she is a former trustee for NIACC, and a former board member of both the Iowa and National Association of Community College Trustees. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council, where she currently chairs the Center to Restore the Balance of Government. She served as the House Republican Whip in 2008 and was the first woman to serve as House Majority Leader from 2010 until her recent election to be the next Speaker.
5. Michael Blank: Peabody Energy
Peabody is the leading global pure-play coal company, serving power and steel customers in more than 25 countries on six continents. Peabody offers significant scale, high-quality assets, and diversity in geography and products. Peabody is guided by seven core values: safety, customer focus, leadership, people, excellence, integrity and sustainability.
https://www.peabodyenergy.com/Who-We-Are/All-About-Peabody
6. Rob Engstrom: U.S Chamber of Commerce
Rob Engstrom is senior vice president and the national political director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He is responsible for directing the Chamber’s national political, grassroots, and election-related activities.
https://www.uschamber.com/rob-engstrom
7. Steve DelBianco NetChoice
As President and CEO, Steve works with NetChoice members to set and execute the NetChoice agenda. Steve has become a well-known expert on Internet governance, online consumer protection, and Internet taxation. He’s provided expert testimony in 25 Congressional hearings and many more state legislative sessions.
NetChoice is a trade association of eCommerce businesses and online consumers all of whom share the goal of promoting convenience, choice, and commerce on the net.
https://netchoice.org/about/
The main objective of this post is to enlighten you to the fact that businesses and those we elect are working together to form policies for their best interests. The majority of congress in this organization are associated with businesses of there own, or are board members and stock holders of companies that these laws are being written for.
We must be aware of their agenda. Are they working for us or for their company? When we go vote, who are we voting for, companies or those who know their districts needs and wants? We hold the power to keep people in office, but we need to better educate ourselves. We MUST not remain blind to their deeds.
All information on ALEC
https://www.alec.org
More information on ALEC and their influence on legislation as well as Bills they have introduced
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/alecs-influence-over-lawmaking-in-state-legislatures/
