ALEC Meetings - Things We Should be Aware Of

An article out the News Advance sheds some sunlight on ALEC meetings and Virginia legislators.

Things just don't add up in this article.

Some snips

Local legislators list tax-paid travel, gifts

Taxpayers paid about $2,300 for three ALEC trips, one by Putney in 2010 and two by Byron in 2011 and 2012.

Why are taxpayers paying for ALEC trips - when ALEC corporate members provide "scholarships" for ALEC legislators to attend ALEC meetings?

Byron said she has attended ALEC’s meetings for several years and is now chairwoman of its innovation and technology committee, focusing on topics such as data-storage centers like a Microsoft facility that was built in Mecklenburg County two years ago.

Microsoft Corporation,[15] Member of ALEC's Communications and Technology Task Force[4] - evidently now known as the innovation and technology task force

ALEC state legislators and ALEC Corporate members meeting behind closed doors – out of the eye of the general public – making deals.

The purpose of the ALEC trips is recruiting more such investments into Virginia, Byron said, and sometimes that is done by creating legislation to set up tax breaks, or to provide financial incentives, that lure companies to relocate here.

“purpose of the ALEC trips is recruiting more such investments into Virginia”

Huh?

That's the purpose?
That’s not what ALEC says their purpose is - - - according to ALEC it is about state legislators getting together and sharing info- - - someone is LYING and I’m guessing it is NOT Byron.

“I happen to believe that free markets and limited-government measures are going to be the thing that brings the economy back around,” Byron said.

No – not really - - -passing legislation that focuses ONLY on increasing corporate profits at the expense of the general commons will not bring the economy around.  Favoritism to corporations through pro-corporate legislation and policy making, at the expense of the general commons - will not bring the economy around

What she truly believes in - is probably this - - - 

ALEC state legislators and ALEC Corporate members meeting behind closed doors – out of the eye of the general public – making deals in posh resorts and luxurious locations - all paid for by ALEC Corporate "scholarships".

It’s probably only the ALEC corporations that believe in free markets and limited government. The ALEC legislators probably couldn't even tell you what that means.

ALEC is a corporate-sponsored forum that says it brings together state legislators and business leaders to talk about government policy focused on free markets, limited government and division of power between the federal and state levels.

ALEC is a corporate-sponsored forum

ALEC is a corporate-sponsored forum

ALEC is a corporate-sponsored forum

Don’t forget that folks!

SNIP 

Byron said the meetings involve legislators and corporate leaders “coming together to discuss federal laws and regulations that hinder growth.

Huh?

“discuss federal laws and regulations that hinder growth.”

REALLY? 

“These are things we need to be aware of,” Byron said. “They are worth going to a meeting once a year.”

“These are things we need to be aware of, "

Yes they are - yes they are.

The extremist American Legislative Exchange Council facilitating private meetings between corporations and legislators, resulting in pro-corporate legislation at the state and federal level.