To ALL Minnesota ALEC Members
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
On August 3 - 6, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) will be holding their annual meeting meeting in New Orleans. As a citizen of Minnesota, I am requesting by this letter that you do not attend.
As a taxpayer of the State of Minnesota, I pay your salary, and I initially would be paying for your travel and per diem expenses (until ALEC reimburses you with corporate donations). As a taxpayer of Minnesota I am requesting that you do not attend the ALEC meeting in New Orleans.
I am requesting that on August 3 - 6 you hold town hall meetings in your district - with your constituents - from 8 am to 5 pm on each of those three days.
You should be in Minnesota on August 3 – 6, meeting with and being “educated by” the citizens you represent and the citizens who pay your salary.
I can't remember the last time MY legislator sat down with THEIR TRUE CONSTITUENTS - the state taxpayer - for two or three days – multiple times a year - to discuss OUR needs for legislature. The residents of Minnesota would love to have their legislator's attention for more than 2 hours at a town meeting - but I guess we don't have enough cash in our pockets to get your attention.
On August 3 - 6, you should not be at the ALEC meeting in New Orleans with other legislators from other states – legislators that have no vested interest in the State of Minnesota. We do not need or want legislation from other states.
On August 3 - 6, you should not be in New Orleans participating in meetings with corporate interests – a meeting that is not open to the public. We do not need or want legislation that is crafted with the help of corporate interests.
Please schedule full-day town hall meetings in your district for the dates of August 3 – 6 which is the dates for the American Legislative Exchange Council annual meeting.
This letter is sent as a reminder that you are paid to serve the citizens of Minnesota and that we are your first and foremost responsibility while you are in the Minnesota Legislature. The corporate sector members of ALEC are NOT your first and foremost responsibility.
Your responsibility is to the citizens of the State of Minnesota and serving the citizens of the State of Minnesota is your primary reason for being, as a state legislator. I am requesting and looking forward to the announcement of full-day town hall meetings - for your constituents - scheduled in your district on August 3 – 6th.
Sincerely,
Cc:
Erik Paulsen – US Congress – MN ALEC Alumni
Keep up to date on all things ALEC at
Daily Kos Group, Exposing ALEC
and ALEC Exposed
Daily Kos - MnDem999 7/27/2011
Good going.
ReplyDeleteI think we should call out the Democrats for NOT exposing this ...
I haven't been able to raise the money to go to NOLA and I am SO disappointed.
Notice that although we protested Erik for his Grover Norquist oath and his ALEC membership the media again, said NOTHING. Sigh
WWW.usuncutmn.blogspot.com
Thank you for your work and for keeping ALEC members in the spotlight.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could go to New Orleans - but can't. Maybe for the next ALEC Mtg in Phoenix the end of November - if one is planned.
Idea though - ALEC does trainings in MN and holds member meetings - we should keep an eye on their calendar on their webpage and we can protest them here at home.
Thanks!
AFSCME spotted them @meetings @Bandanna Square as you probably know.
ReplyDeleteWe just gotta "bug 'em" at every opportunity. It must made so that they are embarassed to belong, imho.
At least I've gotten moveon to sort of understand here in MN. And Common Cause MN is on it, but from them I expect nothing since it's all just contained information and no action. They are not grassroots by any means.
And a big, gracious tip 'o the hat to YOU.
You are so right! We have to keep them in the spotlight and make them want to cancel their memberships and activities with ALEC. A wise person has told me that in their opinion people will lose interest in 3 - 6 months. We have to make sure we don't lose interest and I applaud your group for your continued efforts. We have to get these people out of public service - they don't know what the phrase public service means.
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