Economy

ALEC Brings Voter Suppression Activities Out of the Dark and Coddles Fossil Fuel Industry at This Week’s Annual Meeting

By David Armiak | July 17th, 2025 at 9:24 AM (CDT)

The American Legislative Exchange Council is bringing together state lawmakers, corporate lobbyists, MAGA followers, and right-wing operatives and funders at the four-star JW Marriott Indianapolis this week for its annual meeting, where once again it will strategize about how to further suppress the vote, prop up the fossil fuel industry, push Trump’s priorities, and more.

Economy | Featured Investigations | labor | News | Trump

Blue States Invest Retirees’ Savings in Firms Boosting Trump’s Extreme Agenda

By Matthew Cunningham-Cook | July 11th, 2025 at 5:00 AM (CDT)

California, New York, and Illinois have invested their public employees’ retirement savings in firms promoting and profiting off Trump’s second term.

Right-Wing State Tax “Revolution” Rolls On

By Don Wiener and Arn Pearson | July 10th, 2025 at 5:00 AM (CDT)

Republican state legislators backed by corporate-funded advocacy groups have also made significant strides toward flattening or eliminating once-progressive state income taxes in this year’s legislative sessions.

ALEC-Backed Gig Drivers’ Bill Parked on Governor Evers’ Desk

By Don Wiener and Arn Pearson | June 30th, 2025 at 1:38 PM (CDT)

The national debate over whether rideshare and delivery drivers should be classified as either independent contractors or employees arrived in Wisconsin this month and is now parked on the desk of Governor Tony Evers (D).

ALEC | Economy | Featured Investigations | Koch | News

Major New Koch Investment Hit With Class Action Lawsuits

By Don Wiener | May 27th, 2025 at 10:07 AM (CDT)

Last August, an investment arm of Koch, Inc. bought shares reflecting 16.1% of the value of the retail shopping app Ibotta, Inc., becoming the company’s largest public shareholder.

Colorado Governor’s Veto of Pro-Labor Bill Sets the Stage for More Labor Fights on the Ballot in 2026

By Don Wiener | May 23rd, 2025 at 8:46 AM (CDT)

Colorado’s Democratic Governor Jared Polis vetoed a bill on May 16 that would have removed a major impediment to union organizing and representation in the state.

Koch Fleet of Organizations Invests More Than Ever in Expanding Its Influence

By Connor Gibson | May 22nd, 2025 at 10:31 AM (CDT)

Charles Koch’s fleet of organizations spent a combined net total of $833 million in 2023 to influence public policy, elections, and certain charitable causes — marking its highest spending total to date.

Economy | Featured Investigations | Koch | labor | News

Koch’s Las Vegas Investment Is Now Fully Unionized

By Don Wiener | April 28th, 2025 at 9:33 AM (CDT)

Despite his long history of union opposition, billionaire businessman Charles Koch recently learned that you can’t build hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip without triggering union membership drives.

Know Your Enemy: The Organizations Attacking Unions in the States

By Juliana Broad | April 15th, 2025 at 10:40 AM (CDT)

CMD has identified the top six organizations working at the state and local levels to dismantle labor regulations and the rights to organize and collectively bargain.

ALEC | Democracy | Economy | Featured Investigations | News

ALEC Legislators Dominate Leadership Positions in Republican States

By Don Wiener and Colleen Scerpella | March 14th, 2025 at 11:43 AM (CDT)

For more than 50 years, the American Legislative Exchange Council has moved a right-wing and pro-corporate Republican agenda of legislation in states across the country — all while posing as a nonpartisan, tax-exempt charity.