A private prison company that was a longtime ALEC member has given millions of dollars to political campaigns. As a result, its influence, and its business, has grown.
Minnesota experts on lobbyist disclosure say ALEC’s activity here requires the group to register as a lobbyist under state law.
The organization held an event without registering as a state lobbyist, as a Minnesota board ruled was necessary in 1995.
“About 30″ Minnesota legislators are members of a controversial nonprofit that critics say allows corporate members to lobby lawmakers and write bills without disclosure, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council’s state chair, Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer.
Two Minnesota lawmakers — Republican Reps. Mary Kiffmeyer and Ron Shimanski — are attending a conference hosted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a controversial corporate nonprofit that critics say allows corporations unrestricted access to state lawmakers, as well as the ability to draft business-friendly bills without public disclosure.
A conservative national nonprofit that’s drawn criticism for allowing corporations to write legislation directly with state lawmakers can be traced to bills introduced in Minnesota last session. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has been involved in the developing language here that would shield large corporations from consumer lawsuits and undermine greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Minnesota Rep. Erik Paulsen is listed as a member of a controversial corporate and state legislative collaboration called the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), according to recently leaked documents. The group includes thousands of members of state legislatures and representatives of corporations who draft legislation that is then introduced at the state level without acknowledgement that it was written with the help of corporations it might benefit.
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