Investigating Power
Join the Center for Media and Democracy, the American Constitution Society, and Common Cause for a conversation on the lurking dangers of a constitutional convention.
Big tobacco had a big presence at last month’s 50th annual ALEC meeting: tobacco giant Altria bought access for two lobbyists to speak directly to state lawmakers – at least half a dozen of whom serve on their state’s health policy committees – during ALEC task force meetings in Orlando.
One of every three state lawmakers working to further restrict abortion rights since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year is affiliated with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an analysis by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) reveals.
The pamphlets, handbills, and brochures were unanimous: though ending the constitutional right to abortion was a long-awaited victory, there was still plenty of work to be done. That is where ALEC lawmakers could step in.
A senior operative in Leonard Leo’s influence network now holds a seat on the Energy, Environment and Agriculture task force of the American Legislative Exchange Council—a task force that is increasingly dominated by anti-woke warriors and leaders in the fossil fuel industry.
At last week’s annual meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a fossil fuel industry consultant teamed up with a right-wing culture warrior to lobby ALEC lawmakers to move legislation that punishes companies embracing sustainable business practices.
At ALEC’s 50th annual meeting in Orlando this week, outlawing abortion is clearly on the docket.
Republican state lawmakers, corporate lobbyists, and right-wing operatives are descending on Orlando this week for the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council ready to fight “woke capitalism,” extend a lifeline to big polluters, ban ranked-choice voting, attack bodily autonomy, and consider an array of other model policies.
A review of hundreds of tax filings by the Center for Media and Democracy has uncovered 39%—or $16.4 million—of the $41.7 million ALEC received in contributions between 2017 and 2021.
Republican state lawmakers and corporate lobbyists in the American Legislative Exchange Council will consider model legislation this week that creates new barriers to union organizing efforts across the country.