Questions for 3 MN Legislators - R U ALEC?

The 2010 elections were not a good year for Minnesota

Newly elected members

36 newly elected members

33 newly elected Republican members

3 newly elected DFL members

I decided I would take a look at the campaign finance reports for those “33 newly elected” Republicans.

There are multiple reasons for this.  One is that their campaign reports receive public subsidy and I don’t think many Minnesotan's would be agreeable to paying for possible ALEC expenses.  Two, per ALEC – legislators are reimbursed for 100% of certain costs when going to ALEC functions – therefore I don’t think that legislators should be able to double dip – get reimbursed by taxpayers and ALEC for the same expense.  

And based on what I found – I think some questions are in order for a few of them – in regards to spending that was reported.  Questions that may clarify their affiliation with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) – or maybe not, as many ALEC members are secretive about their membership and lie to their constituents and the media regarding their membership. (My representative has lied to me twice about their ALEC affiliation/membership and when I find that one piece of undisputable evidence – it will become the mainstay of everything I do to make sure they are not re-elected.)

I really have a problem about people lying to me.  Since the American Legislative Exchange Council is a secretive organization that will not divulge their member list – a list of those legislators that advocate for ALEC coporate members at the expense of the citizens of the state – I feel it is my responsibility to continue my searches.

And considering that we now know that ALEC has told their State Chairs that: 

As State Chair, you may be asked for a list of your state members.  It is your choice, and that of your state legislative members, if you wish to release the names of your members.

And considering that the State legislators choose not to disclose their membership – this leads me to believe that there is something dangerously wrong with having a membership in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

If you were to ask a legislator if they belonged to NCSL – I’m pretty sure 100% of the legislators would give you an immediate and accurate answer.

From the 2000 ALEC Annual Report

 

American Legislative Exchange Council States and Nation Policy Summit

The States and Nation Policy Summit introduces the ALEC agenda to 300-400 newly elected and freshman state legislators for a three-day conference of intensive educational sessions addressing issues that will be at the top of the states’ agenda the following year. The Summit is an ideal opportunity for the public and private sectors to work in unison to develop free market policies to promote economic growth, limited government, and federalism. Speakers include national leaders and renowned policy experts, as well as senior executives from the private sector.

States & Nation Policy Summit

Dec. 1-3, 2010

Washington DC

So I guess my questions would be:

To Andrea Keiffer - What "Education Summit" did you go to in December 2010 that you reported parking for on your campaign finance report and who sponsored that training?

To Mary Franson - What was the purpose of the trip to Washington DC you took on 12/1/2010 that would be consided expense for serving in public office and who sponsored that training?



To Joe McDonald - What was the purpose of the training that you attended in December 2010 in Washington DC and who sponsored that training?

A review of the campaign finances showed these “oddities”
– none of the other 33 “newly elected” candidates reported similar expenses 
– so I think it would be fair for us to ask the questions.

–—–—

ALEC members and those affiliated with ALEC in any manner

MUST NOT BE RE-ELECTED or receive our support in any means or manner!

Without state and federal legislators ALEC will cease to exist and it will implode.

For more information on ALEC –

Please read this or this or this

or this series of six articles.

This is what ALEC is About  - An Interview with Mark Pocan about the ALEC Annual Meeting.

A Minnesota specific report about ALEC by Common Cause.

And watch this news video  from North Carolina on how other ALEC "model legislation" is going to screw the citizens of North Carolina - legislation introduced by ALEC legislators.

Do your own "act of education".
Distribute these materials about ALEC to your friends and family.