ALEC Scholarships - "In Trust" for ALEC Private Sector Members

Today is turning out to be a day of wonder – a day of discovery – looking over the new report from CMD on the ALEC scholarship funds.

While I am reviewing the new report released by CMD on the ALEC scholarship fund there are things that stick out – really stick out that can not go unnoticed.

From the newly released CMD report

The scheme works like this: ALEC state chairs (hand-picked legislators and private-sector members) solicit corporate money that goes into a “Scholarship Fund” that is then used to pay for lawmakers’ trips. Records show that ALEC legislators know who’s paying their way—some state leaders even urge lawmakers to send thank-you notes to their patrons— but everyone else is kept in the dark.

ALEC claims to the IRS that it does not have to report the money spent on elected officials because it is just holding the funds “in trust” for lawmakers. But at the same time, it promises corporate donors that they can get a tax write-off for their donations.

“does not have to report the money spent on elected officials “

“it is just holding the funds “in trust” for lawmakers “

Well – not really

Not only for “lawmaker” trips or “elected officials”

Unless you consider Bell South – a “lawmaker” or “an “elected official”.

Why would I say that – well  … 

Under the Mississippi money in-money out for the MS scholarship fund I found these entries:

2008 Money Out of the Scholarship Fund

Randal Russell

$6,648.90

2007 Money Out of the Scholarship Fund

Randal Russell

$6,048.99

2006 Money Out of the Scholarship Fund

Randal Russell

$1,599.77

“But at the same time, it promises corporate donors that they can get a tax write-off for their donations.”

2007 Donation to the Scholarship Fund

BellSouth

$2,000

2007 Donation to the Scholarship Fund

BellSouth

$2,500

$5,500

2006 Donation to the Scholarship Fund

BellSouth

$1,500

  

2011 ALEC Annual Meeting

Mississippi State Private Sector Chair

Randal Russell, Executive Director of Bell South

And then you have this piece of sweetness

Mike Birdsong

Director, State Government Affairs

Bayer Healthcare

444 Pembrooke Drive Madison, MS 39110

Bayer Healthcare is an ALEC Profit Sector Member

Mr Birdsong is a member of the

Health and Human Services Task Force

BUT – he is NOT a Private Sector State Chair

And you may ask why he is a piece of sweetness.

Well  … 

Mr. Birdsong was “money out” of the Mississippi Scholarship Fund

In the amount of

$13,470.15

“does not have to report the money spent on elected officials “

“it is just holding the funds “in trust” for lawmakers “

Well – not really

Not only for “lawmaker” trips or “elected officials”

Unless you consider Bayer Healthcare – a “lawmaker” or “an “elected official”.

Stay Tuned – I’m only ½ done looking at the numbers.